Our culture is obsessed with freedom. The world tells us that freedom is being able to do whatever we want without any interference from others. This is not the Christian understanding, which recognizes freedom as a gift that has a purpose. St. Paul reflects, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). To appreciate this gift that comes from faith in Jesus Christ, we have to reflect on how desperately we need it.

So many things hold us back from living as the men God calls us to become. Sin certainly stands at the forefront, but many other forces distract us and even enslave us: our pride, ambition, wounds, inhibitions, and fear. Too often, we remain unaware of how much these things hold us back, bogged down by the pressures of our daily duties and the coping mechanisms we’ve developed along the way. Through our Exodus journey, we seek to grow in personal freedom by cooperating with God’s grace at work in our lives. We don’t seek freedom for its own sake; we become free so that we may love.

Exodus 90 should free us up to be more present and available to others. For single men, that means preparing intentionally for your vocation to fatherhood. For married men, that means focusing upon our vocations as husbands and fathers. For seminarians and priests, that means more radically conforming your mind and heart to the pattern of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest.

If you are married, it is important to have the support of your spouse as you begin Exodus 90. With proper communication, Exodus 90 can bless your family life in very profound ways. If you have not already, please tell your wife about the disciplines, weekly meetings, and daily prayer, and consider how they may affect your established family routines. Be sure to listen carefully to any of your wife’s concerns and avoid downplaying the possible effects of the disciplines on the rhythms of your family life. Acknowledge those difficulties and work together to find solutions that are acceptable to your spouse and within the spirit of the spiritual exercises. There may be exceptions to make to Exodus 90 along the way, especially for anniversaries, birthdays, or other special occasions at your discretion. Lastly, if you do not have the support of your spouse, for whatever reason, there’s no shame in setting Exodus 90 aside for now. The app can still support your daily personal formation.

If you are like most Exodus Men, you will find more time in your day than you thought you had before you started. Consider how you will use this time to bless others. Take time for service in works of charity in your local community or spend higher quality time with others. If you’re married, reclaim the date night with your spouse if you are not in the practice, or consider spending quality time with each of your children. If you’re a priest or seminarian, make more time for priestly fraternity.

Exodus 90 is about growing in freedom for love through the generosity that should flow from our practices of prayer, asceticism, and fraternity. From beginning to end, please keep those you are called to love at the front of your mind and heart as you undertake your Exodus.