On Freedom
Bishop Teemu Laajasalo’s Greeting in the Cathedral of Helsinki on February 24, 2025, the Third Anniversary of the War in Ukraine.
Three years ago, on a February morning in Ukraine, children packed their emergency backpacks as they left for school. Their school day no longer prepared them for years of growth, but for survival in the midst of war. Three years ago, on a February morning, I had woken up early to speak on the radio – to tell that, close to us, children’s morning routines were different. The whole world stopped to listen to the news, and hearts filled with anxiety, despair, and concern.
Today, three years later, the war continues. Over a thousand mornings have passed. People still live in fear, as refugees, and in uncertainty. Today, we have many questions. We ask: Where is justice? How long can darkness prevail? How can we donate help? How can we donate hope?
The apostle Paul writes in the letter to the Galatians: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
The freedom Paul speaks of is not merely the absence of external chains. It is the deep freedom from external distress, from the fear that diminishes a person, from guilt and hopelessness. It is the freedom that Christ gives. It is the freedom that forces hope to emerge. It is the freedom that knows that, even in the midst of darkness, God’s light shines. It is the freedom that is certain that injustice is not the final word, that justice will rise, and that evil will eventually be defeated.
Fighting for freedom is not just a political or military task. For the Christian, it is also a spiritual calling. We are called to carry the voice of hope to where fear tries to suppress it. We are called to stand against injustice and to support those who suffer. We are called to remember that the freedom of Christ is not only a promise for the future but also a power that sustains us here and now.
Therefore, today, in the midst of war and oppression, let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, grant your peace to those who suffer. Strengthen the weak in hope and support those who resist injustice. Give us all the courage to live in the spirit of freedom – Let this war end in a way that gives Ukraine safety and freedom for today and tomorrow. Have mercy on us, Christ.
Amen