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Views from the Choir Loft

American License

Fr. David Friel · July 4, 2013

ODAY, WE AMERICANS CELEBRATE our independence as a sovereign nation—our freedom from British rule. So often in American society, we speak of “freedom” when we are really talking about “license.” The two things ought never to be conflated, though they frequently are.

When people talk about freedom, they often mean the ability to do whatever they want whenever they want. But that is not freedom; that is license. That is what so many adolescents want: to break free from the oppressive rule of their parents and society’s expectations. License goes hand-in-hand with immaturity.

So what is “freedom” actually? It’s not freedom from rules or from our parents or from King George III. Freedom is the ability to do the good—the unhindered ability to do that which will make us truly happy. Almighty God has given us freedom so that we might become happy—not in some passing, temporal way, but in a deep & abiding & eternal way.

Our Mother the Church has a duty to help us live our lives in such a way that we will be doing the will of God, and therefore have the chance to be truly blessed. Indeed, God has created us to be free—not free to do anything, but to do the good. Sin, on the other hand, is the ultimate state of bondage. It does not make us happy, but miserable; it does not set us free, but rather enslaves us. For these reasons, it is incumbent upon every Christian to reject sin not only in our personal lives, but also in the social order, motivated always by true love of neighbor.

As we celebrate the founding of our homeland, let us embrace the exhortation of St. Paul: “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

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PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“During Lent…the use of musical instruments is allowed only so as to support the singing. Nevertheless, Laetare Sunday (the Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities and Feasts are exceptions to this rule.”

— ‘Roman Missal, 3rd Edition (2011)’

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