Freedom and Lawyers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to go beyond our comfort with religious practices and favourite texts to relationships with God and others based on trust and love.

Law and Freedom

In the reading from the Letter to the Galatians, Paul defines the nature of Christian Freedom and the Importance of Faith.

* [5:1–6] Paul begins the exhortations, continuing through Gal 6:10, with an appeal to the Galatians to side with freedom instead of slavery (Gal 5:1). He reiterates his message of justification or righteousness by faith instead of law and circumcision (Gal 5:2–5); cf. Gal 2:16; 3:3. Faith, not circumcision, is what counts (Gal 5:6).

* [5:1] Freedom: Paul stresses as the conclusion from the allegory in Gal 4:21–31 this result of Christ’s work for us. It is a principle previously mentioned (Gal 2:4), the responsible use of which Gal 5:13 will emphasize.

* [5:3] Cf. Gal 3:10–12. Just as those who seek to live by the law must carry out all its contents, so those who have faith and live by promise must stand firm in their freedom (Gal 5:1, 13).

* [5:6] Cf. Rom 2:25–26; 1 Cor 7:19; Gal 6:15. The Greek for faith working through love or “faith expressing itself through love” can also be rendered as “faith energized by (God’s) love.” (Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus denounces Pharisees and Lawyers.

* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there). (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford suspects that many of us can get so caught up in the particulars of individual commandments that we forget the main purposes are, as Jesus stated (Matthew 22:37-40) to help us love the Lord God with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

Sometimes each one of us needs this reminder:  God loves you and wants good for you.  God did not give the Law so we could make ourselves and those around us miserable.  God’s word, found in the Law and manifested in Christ, is intended to bring us close to God.  And when we are close, our Good Shepherd can lead us through good times and bad, give us rest and food when we need it, and guide us so we don’t have to navigate the difficult, frightening and dangerous places on our own.  Seemingly difficult commandments, like forgiving others and loving your enemies, help us by easing the pains, bitterness and dread that result from holding grudges.  “Do not fear,” repeated so many times in the Word, encourages us to replace feelings of anxiety and terror with the calm and peace that comes from trusting and hoping in our Lord.

Loving God, draw each one of us close to you.  Let us delight in your commands.  Let your mercy come to each one of your children, O Lord.  Amen. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Acts of mercy are examples of almsgiving,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"What our Lord says, 'Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you,' applies to all useful acts of mercy. It does not apply just to the one who gives food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, hospitality to the wayfarer or refuge to the fugitive. It also applies to one who visits the sick and the prisoner, redeems the captive, bears the burdens of the weak, leads the blind, comforts the sorrowful, heals the sick, shows the erring the right way, gives advice to the perplexed, and does whatever is needful for the needy. Not only does this person give alms, but the person who forgives the trespasser also gives alms as well. He is also a giver of alms who, by blows or other discipline, corrects and restrains those under his command. At the same time he forgives from the heart the sin by which he has been wronged or offended or prays that it be forgiven the offender. Such a person gives alms not only because he forgives and prays but also because he rebukes and administers corrective punishment, since in this he shows mercy... There are many kinds of alms. When we do them, we are helped in receiving forgiveness of our own sins." (excerpt from ENCHIRIDION 19.72) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:37-41 comments that God doesn’t need us to be doing anything special for him to speak to us. Of course, regular prayer and Scripture reading can help us become more attuned to his voice, but God isn’t limited to those times. We might hear him while we are washing the dishes or driving to work. He might catch our attention through a friend’s words or a newspaper article. Maybe a new thought pops into our mind, seemingly out of nowhere, and gives us a fresh perspective or brings a sense of peace we didn’t have before. Or we have a disagreement with someone close to us, and we sense the Spirit helping us to stay peaceful. No matter how he chooses to speak to us, we can be sure that it is God when we feel drawn to love him and each other more fully.

So keep your heart and mind open today. Don’t doubt God’s involvement in your life. There is so much he wants to say. There is so much more love he wants to share. He is not a distant God. He is your Father, and he loves speaking with you.

“Lord, come speak to me at any time of the day. Help me to recognize your voice.” (Meditation on Luke 11:37-41, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the teaching of Paul about freedom and the danger of submitting to the yoke of slavery that is connected to circumcision and dietary laws when peace with God, or justification, is through an act of faith or trust in God. In Luke, the Pharisees' extension of the Law to washing before meals precedes Jesus' concern that religious observance may supersede love of God and His children. Friar Jude reminds us to seek clarity that our practices align with God’s intentions.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers what we can learn from the first Bible of nature.

Science often affirms what were for centuries the highly suspect intuitions of the mystics. We now take it for granted that everything in the universe is deeply connected and linked, even light itself, which interestingly is the first act of creation (Genesis 1:3). Objects—even galaxies!—throughout the entire known universe are in orbits and cycle around something else. There’s no such thing in the whole universe as autonomy. It doesn’t exist. That’s the illusion of the modern, individualistic West, which imagines the autonomous self to be the basic building block and the true Seer. [2] 

Yet all holy ones seem to say that the independent self sees everything incorrectly. Parts can only recognize parts and so split things even further. Whole people see things in their wholeness and thus create wholeness (“holiness”) wherever they go and wherever they gaze. Holy people will find God in nature and everywhere else too. Heady people will only find God in books and words, and finally not even there. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the help of the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the freedom that our being at peace with God is based on our relationship of faith, trust in God, and love of God and neighbour.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101524.html 

Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5? 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11? 

Meditation on Luke 11:37-41. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/15/1105265/ 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The First Bible. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-first-bible/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Makes the Heart Clean and Holy? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct15 

Freedom and Repentance

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the concept of Christian freedom and how the Sign of Jonah might be relevant to our journey to fullness of life.

Reflect on our Path

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians is an Allegory on Christian Freedom.

* [4:21–31] Paul supports his appeal for the gospel (Gal 4:9; 1:6–9; 2:16; 3:2) by a further argument from scripture (cf. Gal 3:6–18). It involves the relationship of Abraham (Gal 3:6–16) to his wife, Sarah, the freeborn woman, and to Hagar, the slave woman, and the contrast between the sons born to each, Isaac, child of promise, and Ishmael, son of Hagar (Gn 16; 21). Only through Isaac is the promise of God preserved. This allegory (Gal 4:24), with its equation of the Sinai covenant and Mosaic law with slavery and of the promise of God with freedom, Paul uses only in light of previous arguments. His quotation of Gn 21:10 at Gal 4:30 suggests on a scriptural basis that the Galatians should expel those who are troubling them (Gal 1:7). (Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 113 praises God the Helper of the Needy

* [Psalm 113] A hymn exhorting the congregation to praise God’s name, i.e., the way in which God is present in the world; the name is mentioned three times in Ps 113:1–3. The divine name is especially honored in the Temple (Ps 113:1) but its recognition is not limited by time (Ps 113:2) and space (Ps 113:3), for God is everywhere active (Ps 113:4–5) especially in rescuing the lowly faithful (Ps 113:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 113 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus cites The Sign of Jonah.

* [11:29–32] The “sign of Jonah” in Luke is the preaching of the need for repentance by a prophet who comes from afar. Cf. Mt 12:38–42 (and see notes there) where the “sign of Jonah” is interpreted by Jesus as his death and resurrection. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Vivian Amu comments that the first reading invites us to discern our path in life by not just what stirs our hearts, but by taking stock of what enslaves us versus what sets us free to be our true selves. When we arrive at a vocation crossroad, which happens several times in our lifespan, we are often of two mindsets, and we find ourselves searching for signs that we are on the right path. 

We do not need proof or a sign to take a particular path in life when we have faith in God's timing, even when we do not fully understand our purpose. We do not need proof or a sign if we show up in prayer without agendas and ultimatums. We do not need proof or a sign from God if we spend time listening to God, especially when God shows up in surprising ways. We do not need proof or a sign if we trust that our destinies are much grander than we know and that our best days are always in front of us. We do not need proof or a sign when we acknowledge that we all have a shared vocation of love; therefore, we are halfway up the road of discernment already. It might take a long time to come to fruition but believe that God will never stir us the wrong way. That is God’s promise of assurance and hope.

Loving God, your love and promise have set us free. We are no longer enslaved by our fears. (Amu, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The sign of Jonah,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.

"'What is the sign of Jonah? The stumbling block of the cross. So it is not the disputers of knowledge who will be saved but those who believe true teaching. For the cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling block to those who dispute knowledge but salvation to those who believe. Paul testifies to this: 'But we, for our part, preach the crucified Christ - to the Jews indeed a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Why do the Jews seek signs and the Greeks seek wisdom? God pointed to the sign of the stumbling block of the cross to both the Jews and the Greeks. Thus those who wish to find Christ not through faith but through wisdom will perish on the stumbling block of foolishness. Those who wish to know the Son of God not through faith but through a demonstration of signs will remain trapped in their disbelief, falling on the stumbling block of his death. It is no small wonder that the Jews, considering the death of Christ, thought he was merely a man, when even Christians - as they purport to be but really are not - because of his death are reluctant to declare the only begotten, the crucified, as incomparable majesty." (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 30, the Greek fathers). (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:29-32 comments that before we start judging this “evil generation” (Luke 11:29), it’s helpful to remember that Jesus’ words are meant for every generation, including our own! His teachings still apply; his miracles still abound; and now that he is risen, his presence is with us even more powerfully. Still, despite these signs, many choose not to believe in him. They’re still asking for more signs. Or to be more accurate, there are times that even we ask for more, despite all that we have already seen and experienced!

The problem with asking for signs is that we tend to want them on our own terms. But the signs that God wants to give are all around. They’re right in front of you every day: his presence in you, his mercy over you, and his Spirit guiding you. He’s inviting you to make these signs the foundation of your faith in him. Just as he did for the people of his generation, Jesus wants you to trust in him based on all that you have already received.

Know that Jesus himself, risen in glory, is God’s greatest and final sign. Believe in him. Lean on him. And praise him for his faithfulness and mercy.

“Jesus, open my eyes so I can see all the signs of your presence and your love!” (Meditation on Luke 11:29-32, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the use of midrash to bring new meaning to the Scripture passages about Sarah and Hagar and the children of the Promise and the children of the slave girl. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus cites the conversion of Nineveh by Jonah as a sign of His Mission. Friar Jude reminds us that outsiders and pagans were the most ready to listen to Jesus and accept repentance.

The CAC Daily Meditations by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, were not available at publication time.

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to reconcile our contradictory attitudes to the concepts of freedom and repentance.

References

Amu, V. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101424.html 

Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/4?22 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?29 

Meditation on Luke 11:29-32. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/14/1104512/ 

Psalms, PSALM 113 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/113?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Is an Evil Generation; It Seeks a Sign. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct14