Liberation as the Heart of Spirituality

Liberation is not an add-on to our spirituality; it is the ground beneath it. We come to see that true spirituality is not private, passive, or separate from the world’s pain. The Exodus story tells our story too—freedom from inner and outer bondage is not optional. A real encounter with the Divine leads us to confront systems of oppression, not maintain them. Spirituality without justice becomes self-preservation. Many religious traditions have drifted into ritual maintenance instead of prophetic action. That drift continues when we separate contemplation from solidarity. If our inner journey does not match and lead to an outer journey of liberation for all, we have no true freedom or “salvation.” Prayer that does not open us to suffering is just noise. Mercy that avoids inner transformation collapses. When we commit to liberation for all, we finally understand salvation.

May we live a spirituality that liberates,
where inner transformation
and outward justice are one.

(inspired by Richard Rohr, Yes, And…)