when He was given up to death, a death He freely accepted...

Hearing these words in the Eucharistic prayer struck me the other day-- a death He freely accepted. Freely!! Freedom is the foundation of love. Our free will was given to us, that we might not merely obey God, but love Him! Without freedom, love cannot exist; actions are reduced to mere compulsion or slavery. But with freedom comes the ability to choose to love-- if one cannot say no, then one's yes means nothing! Christ, being fully God as well as fully Man, could have chosen to come down off the cross. He could have forgone the suffering, and not laid down His life for the Church. But He chose- freely- despite taunting from the soldiers who tempted Him to come down from the cross- to die for her, that she may have new life. Rather than save Himself, He laid down His life that His bride may be made spotless. If only man would give himself to Christ that he too would have the strength to selflessly sacrifice for the purity of woman! "For you were called for freedom, brothers!" Galatians 5:13.