Please read the passage before the homily.
Slaves have to obey the desires of their masters. If sin masters us, then we are slaves of sin and not free people. Therefore, Paul exhorted the Romans not to put themselves under the law of sin, but rather to put themselves under God’s grace, which gives freedom from slavery.
We are a free people. We reject any idea that we could be enslaved. We demand our freedom. On the other hand, many of our people suffer from addictive behaviors or substances. Addiction means that there is some lessening of freedom, which means there is an encroachment of slavery, into our lives.
Even though the slavery of human to human remained for the Romans, the slavery of sin could be abolished for them and for all people. Those who have given the life of Christ, even if physically enslaved, could be free under the power of grace.
We value our freedom. Let us live free of sin and alive to God’s grace.