As we celebrate our nation's independence, Fr. Phil talks about the freedom we have received in Christ Jesus, looking at the words of St. Paul in the second reading from Romans 8:9, 11-13. We are not slaves to sin - we have been given the same Spirit that raised up the dead Jesus to life! He shares 7 things to consider when looking to the Holy Spirit for freedom from sin.

The gift, the power, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is meant for us all. Fr. Phil points to Our Blessed Mother Mary, and how she is the one who can help us form a relationship with the Holy Spirit through surrender and trust.

To move forward, we have to look forward. This applies especially to how we live for God. Fr. Phil explains how often we get bogged down with earthly things because we aren't taking the time to focus our sights on Jesus.

Fr. Emil Kapaun died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War. This army chaplain demonstrated what it means to love as Jesus commands us to, even to the point of forgiving his captors before he died.

Suffering in this life is unavoidable. No matter the path, we will face it. Fr. Phil highlights St. Peter's words, “It is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17). The unjust suffering we endure out of love for God will produce glory within us (Romans 8:14-18). If choosing to live apart from God will still produce suffering, why not suffer for that which brings us closer to Heaven?

Fr. Phil reminds us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He will help us through everything! To discover more of this, we have to pray and figure out what God the Father is calling us to do, why He made us: our vocation.