The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder our understanding of justification and how we are called “blessed” in our connection to Jesus.
In the Letter to the Galatians, Paul proclaims what Faith Has Brought Us.
* [3:23–29] Paul adds a further argument in support of righteousness or justification by faith and through God’s promise rather than by works of the law (Gal 2:16; 3:22): as children of God, baptized into Christ, the Galatians are all Abraham’s descendant and heirs of the promise to Abraham (Gal 3:8, 14, 16–18, 29). The teaching in Gal 3:23–25, that since faith (Christianity) has come, we are no longer under the law, could be taken with the previous paragraph on the role of the Mosaic law, but it also fits here as a contrast between the situation before faith (Gal 3:23) and the results after faith has come (Gal 3:25–29).
* [3:24–25] Disciplinarian: the Greek paidagōgos referred to a slave who escorted a child to school but did not teach or tutor; hence, a guardian or monitor. Applying this to the law fits the role of the law described in Gal 3:19–25.
* [3:26] Children of God: literally “sons,” in contrast to the young child under the disciplinarian in Gal 3:24–25. The term includes males and females (Gal 3:28).
* [3:27–28] Likely a formula used at baptism that expresses racial, social-economic, and sexual equality in Christ (cf. Col 3:11).
* [3:27] Clothed yourselves with Christ: literally, “have put on Christ”; cf. Rom 13:14; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10. Baptismal imagery, traceable to the Old Testament (Jb 29:14; Is 59:17) but also found in pagan mystery cults. (Galatians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 105 invites Israel to praise and seek the presence of God.
* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus proclaims True Blessedness.
* [11:27–28] The beatitude in Lk 11:28 should not be interpreted as a rebuke of the mother of Jesus; see note on Lk 8:21. Rather, it emphasizes (like Lk 2:35) that attentiveness to God’s word is more important than biological relationship to Jesus. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that these two readings come together. They paint a picture of a God who is always expanding the circle. They reveal a God who always moves towards inclusion.
Of course, inclusivity is more than agreeing that everyone matters. It requires action. It asks us to notice who is standing alone. It calls us to listen before we judge, to learn before we assume, to learn people’s names, to include a quiet voice in the conversation, and to make room for people whose experiences differ from our own.
So perhaps the question for us today is this: Who needs to hear through our words or actions that there is room beside us, and that there is room at our table? A person in our family, workplace, parish or neighborhood may be waiting for a sign that they belong.
Blessed are those who hear and keep hearing. Blessed are those who listen deeply enough to live differently. (Amu, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Blessings for hearing and keeping the Word,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To someone who said, 'Blessed is the womb that bore you,' he replied, 'Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.' Finally, for his brothers, his relatives according to the flesh who did not believe in him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good unless she had borne Christ more happily in her heart than in her flesh." (excerpt from HOLY VIRGINITY 3.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts for today. Paul explains to the Galatians that before Jesus the Jews were under the Law. It was not a positive force but it acted as a guardian or custodian. Jesus has liberated us and destroyed division. All are able to be saved. In the Gospel text the people bless the womb that birthed Jesus. “Blessed are those who hear the Word and observe it” is the response of Jesus. In Luke, Mary is presented very honourably. Friar Jude comments that Luke proclaims her as the one who makes the Word her own, as she made Jesus present in the world through her faith and assent to the call of God.
The Word Among Us Meditation on Galatians 3:22-29 comments that as a Church, we are even more diverse today than the first-century Christians. Yet for all our differences, we are all wearing the same “uniform” because we are all clothed with Christ and filled with the same Spirit.
We may tend to focus on our differences more than on what we have in common. But that’s not how God sees us. Today in prayer, ask for the grace to see yourself and other believers the way he sees you—as his very own children, wearing the most beautiful clothing imaginable: the clothing of Christ!
“Father, help me to treasure the unity you have won for us in your Son!" (Meditation on Galatians 3:22-29, 2026)
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Keith Douglass Warner, Ilia Delio, and Pamela Wood who suggest that we can develop deep attentiveness to creation by following Francis’s example. Making choices to simplify our lives—to lessen our use of resources—is fundamental to developing a Franciscan ecological consciousness.
Learning how to live in relationship is fundamental to following the patron saint of ecology. Francis was open to relationship—to receiving from all, whether leper, human brother and sister, worms, birds, bishops, water, fire, wind, or Blessed Mother Earth. Francis recognized the Incarnate Word of God in all living creatures. His openness meant he could recognize the blessing of being brother to all, and his response was humility. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the Patience and Wisdom of the Spirit to apply Jesus' blessing of action in accord with the Word to our relationships with family, friends, and the people we encounter daily on our journey.
References
Amu, V. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-10-2026
Galatians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/3?22
Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?
Meditation on Galatians 3:22-29. (2026, October 10). The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/10/1690922/
Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Francis and the Natural World: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/francis-and-the-natural-world-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Hear the Word of God and Keep It. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
No comments:
Post a Comment