Quest for Freedom

Fair was the seemingly endless expanse before her eyes:
She was free.
The shackles of restraint had fallen away with youth
The World beckoned.
In its hands were gifts
And its mouth uttered honeyed promises:
“Come to me, all ye poor belabored saps,
Stifled from the womb
With the galling chains of Morality!
Come! Be happy!
Learn of me, for I am free and proud of heart.”
She listened to its words
And followed where it lead.
Deep was the grief of her parents,
But she was blinded:
Independent, even to insanity.
She would not hearken to their counsels
And their tears moved her not at all
For she was free.
Time went by…
And with each passing year, she slid
Faster and faster
Down the slippery slope that leads to perdition.
Until at last came a gift from on High:
Disillusionment
Like a lifeline thrown into the dark.
Her eyes were opened and she saw the lies
Fed to her by the world.
And the chains with which she was bound;
Infinitely more galling than those of Morality.
Weariness and despair engulfed her
So that she saw only one way to obtain rest.
And yet, a deep love for her parents
Stayed her hand.
That, and a smothered yet undying belief
In Eternity.
Then, out of the darkness she heard a Voice.
Not in her ears did it sound,
But within her befouled and sin-laden soul.
A Voice of sorrow, saying:
“Why will you die, O Israel?”
And then the same Voice saying tenderly,
“Come to Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden,
And I will refresh you.
Come!
Even though your sins be red as scarlet,
I will make them white as snow.
Leave behind the deceitful World
And return to Me.
For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.”
Then remorse, terrible in its intensity
And yet purifying
Filled her heart with sorrow
And her eyes with tears.
But the evil one was loath to release her
And from his infernal mouth came the question:
“Is there forgiveness for one such as you?”
In answer came a commanding voice:
“Begone, Satan!”
And a Mother’s hand soothed her fevered brow
And aching heart.
In tones of compassion and deep tenderness
The Mother assured her:
“I have come to lead you to my Son.
Fear not! For I shall be with you;
My prayer shall obtain your forgiveness.”
Then, with an immaculate hand,
The Mother drew her forth from the mire
And led her to the Son.
And He washed her in His own Precious Blood
So that life flowed into her soul
And it became once again white as snow,
Beautiful to behold.
He raised her to a new life:
A life with Him
And placed her in His Church
Through which His life-giving waters flow.
Then at last she was truly free.