The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today contrast the quality of our life journey guided by the Spirit with actions based in legalism, self satisfaction, and self aggrandizement.
In the reading from the Letter to the Galatians, Paul describes the Fruit of the Spirit.
* [5:19–23] Such lists of vices and virtues (cf. Rom 1:29–31; 1 Cor 6:9–10) were common in the ancient world. Paul contrasts works of the flesh (Gal 5:19) with fruit (not “works”) of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Not law, but the Spirit, leads to such traits. (Galatians, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)
Psalm 1 contrasts the Two Ways.
* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death. (Psalms, PSALM 1, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus declares ‘But woe to you Pharisees!’
* [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).
* [11:44] Unseen graves: contact with the dead or with human bones or graves (see Nm 19:16) brought ritual impurity. Jesus presents the Pharisees as those who insidiously lead others astray through their seeming attention to the law.
* [11:45] Scholars of the law: see note on Lk 10:25. (Luke, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that the whole thing comes down to two other important words for Jesus. What is the difference between impressing and expressing? Impressing is from the outside, the exterior, as the lamp’s just wanting to be seen. Impressing is hoping that the outside of the cup is acceptable, impressive and those who are easily impressed deal well with their own exteriorities.
Expressing flows from some depth of person and commitment. The expressor wishes to touch in the interior of others with the Light of Truth and Grace. Expressing is responsive to a truth or sense which flows up from the spirit and heart hoping to illumine something deeper within the spirit and soul and heart of the hearers. This takes courage while the other takes ungrateful pride.
Jesus is not alasing over these two groups as to condemn, but dramatically inviting them to see the Light and be freed from the darkness of legal reacting. Jesus confronts blind legal functioning. He is inviting constantly His hearers, to respond to the Light-Life of His teaching and way of expressing the interior of God Who is Love. (Gillick, 2022)
Don Schwager quotes “Binding heavy burdens on others,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Just as the scribes and Pharisees wickedly sat upon the throne of Moses, so do some in the church who sit upon the ecclesiastical throne. There are some in the church who have the right understanding of the law and pass it on correctly. They say what each person needs to do, but they themselves do not do it. Some of them lay heavy burdens upon the shoulders of men, but they won't even lift a finger to help. These are the ones the Savior is talking about when he says, 'Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of God' (Matthew 5:19). There are others, however, who sit on the throne, who act before they speak and speak wisely, restraining those who are disordered. They place merciful burdens on the shoulders of others. They themselves are the first to lift the heavy burden, for the exhortation of other listeners. It is these of whom the Lord speaks when he says, 'He who does so and teaches others to do so, this man will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 9) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Galatians 5:18-25 comments that the more we get in touch with the Spirit and learn to follow his guidance, the more we will experience freedom in Christ. Over time, the Spirit will transform our desires so that we can live in a way that produces joy, peace, and generosity. As we call on the Spirit and try to follow his promptings, our attraction to the works of the flesh will diminish. This is what St. Augustine meant when he said, “Love God and do what you will.”
God has given you his Spirit because he wants you to experience ever-deepening freedom. The Spirit’s delight is to empower you to bear good fruit. This promise is real. Take hold of the gift God offers you. Let the Spirit be your guide, today and always.
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.” (Meditation on Galatians 5:18-25, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler examines the contrast between the disorganized list of consequences of the Law and the expression of the Hebrew expletive in the organized list of fruits of the Spirit. The scrupulosity of the Pharisees and Lawyers overlooked change of heart and goodness to others. Friar Jude reminds us about the injustice that is connected with laying burdens on others.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, advocates a principle to support true authority, the ability to “author” life in others, regardless of the group. That is truly and properly ‘catholic,’ as expressed by the very force and meaning of the word, which comprehends everything almost universally. In other words, if it is true, then it has to be true everywhere and all the time, or it is not true!
Such recognition of “authority” beyond our own group is structurally demanded of Christians by the fact that our Bible includes the Hebrew Bible! Inclusivity is valued from the start. Every Christian liturgy reads authoritative texts from the Torah, the Jewish Prophets, and the Wisdom Writings. We listen to Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, all of whom never knew Jesus. The implications should be clear: we have been taught by non-Christian authorities from the beginning! The door is opened and must remain open or we become insular Christians instead of catholic ones.
The pattern continues with John’s Gospel using the concept of the Logos (John 1:1), which was first used by Heraclitus and Greek Stoic philosophers. Paul is willing to quote non-Jewish sources and worldviews to the Athenians (Acts 17:26–29) in order to preach a more universal message. We also have centuries of reliance by many first millennium Fathers of the Church upon the “pagan” categories of Plato and Aristotle—to make their Christian points! This clear pattern with Aristotle kept Thomas Aquinas from being recognized and canonized for some time. Augustine and Bonaventure did much the same with Plato. Certainly, Catholic scientists and theologians have significant overlapping discussions today. This is our heritage: using universal wisdom to teach Christian truth.
If it is the Perennial Tradition, it will somehow keep recurring at different levels and in different forms from different voices and disciplines. (Rohr, 2022)
We resonate, through the Spirit, with love, beauty, and truth as we seek to follow the Way in our journey.
References
Galatians, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5?18
Gillick, L. (2022, October 12). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101222.html
Luke, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?42
Meditation on Galatians 5:18-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/10/12/510536/
Psalms, PSALM 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1?1
Rohr, R. (2022, October 12). Affirming the Big Truth — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/affirming-the-big-truth-2022-10-12/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Load Burdens Hard to Bear. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=oct12
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