"Living according to the flesh explained Benedict XVI means following the selfish tendency of human nature. Living according to the Spirit means instead leaving oneself be guided in one’s intentions and work by God’s love, which Christ gave us". Christian freedom is therefore "all but arbitrariness; it is the following of Christ, in giving oneself up through to the sacrifice of the Cross". "It might sound like a paradox went on the Holy Father , but the peak of His freedom, the Lord experienced it on the cross, as the peak of love", suffering up there "to fully accomplish the merciful will of the Father". "This experience noticed the Pope has been shared by many other witnesses of the truth: men and women who have proven to remain free even in a prison cell and under the threat of torture. ‘Truth will release you’. He who belongs to the truth will never be a slave to any power, but will always be able to freely serve his brothers". Hence his invitation to look to Mary: "The Virgin is a model of a spiritual person, who is fully free because she is immaculate, immune from sin and all holy, devoted to serving God and her neighbours. Let her, with her maternal care, help us follow Jesus so as to know the truth and experience freedom in love".
