Living in the Holy Spirit’s Light
by Fr. David M. Knight
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Twenty-Seventh Week of the Year
Lectionary 466
Gal 3:22-29/Lk 11:27-28
Galatians 3:22-29: Paul seems to be doing something strange for one with authority: he is downplaying the law, telling the Galatians that the religion that guided people through laws was only meant as a preliminary to the religion that guides through the light of faith. He calls the law our “pedagogue,” which in Greek meant “a slave who escorted a child to school but did not teach or tutor; hence, a guardian or monitor.” To be guided to God by laws is for the immature. “But now that faith is here, we are no longer in the monitor’s charge.” (See Notes, New American Bible Revised Edition.)
For through faith, you are all sons and daughters of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
The implication is “adult sons and daughters,” because “in Christ” we know the Father as only the Son can, by the light of faith, which is the gift of sharing in the Son’s own act of knowing. Paul is inviting people to think for themselves by the light of the Spirit instead of just conforming to laws. Only very trusting authorities do that!
This is not just enlightened management. Paul’s confidence is in the mystery of what we become by Baptism.
There does not exist among you slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paul does not deny the distinction between governing and governed, teachers and disciples. But any difference must be seen always in the light of a higher sameness in which all are equal. In the mystery of Christ:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Neither governed nor governors must ever forget that each one has the gift and light of the Spirit. It must be respected. The great champion of the laity’s right to be heard, both in matters of policy and of doctrine, is Cardinal John Henry Newman, beatified by Benedict XVI.
Many people, perhaps most, prefer to follow laws blindly rather than take the responsibility of personal decision. This makes them somewhat unfaithful, among other things, to their baptismal consecration as stewards of the kingship of Christ.
Luke11:27-28: Jesus teaches us to judge, not by human appearances or reality, but by the mystery of faith. To a woman who said, “Blest is the womb that bore you,” he replied: “Rather, blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” His mother’s blessing was her mystical, not her physical maternity.
Initiative: Respect reality. Be aware of the mystical dimension in every person
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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