JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

Meditation for Friday of the 27^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Gal 3:7-14; Lk 11:15-26)

On this fifth day of our meditation on St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he takes his argument to the guiding principle that differentiates the true gospel he preached from those that preached “another gospel.” St. Paul’s teachings were guided by the principle of justification by faith, while those who perverted the gospel insisted on justification by law. He argued that it is by faith in Jesus Christ that all are qualified to become children of God. This was prefigured in the Scriptures when God said to Abraham, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” Hence, St. Paul said, “Those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.” For the righteous shall live by faith. “That in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Thus, the preaching of the gospel is to build up this saving faith in Christ Jesus. That is why the gospel permeates all cultures and societies, and is relevant at all times.

On the other hand, the perverted gospel is based on law. Such preaching promotes spirituality of punishment and curse, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them.’” Since law is usually restrictive, an adulterated gospel message will end up promoting segregation among believers. By placing emphasis on one’s observance of the law, self-righteousness will go ahead of grace in the lives of those who embrace the perverted gospel message. How then can one talk about the unmerited grace to the glory of God?

 

That is why we must be watchful so that we will not be distracted from the true gospel message, which builds up our faith in Jesus Christ, in whom we are justified, and in whom every requirement of the law is fulfilled. Think about how those selfish men tried to distract the people from believing in Jesus by calling Him Beelzebul. Jesus answered them, “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” As Jesus cast out the demon, so faith in Him sets us free from the curse of the law, and uplifts us to the free working of His grace, which inspires our actions, and brings to us Abraham’s blessings. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Friday October 7, 2022.

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

Personal Commitment to the Gospel

Meditation for Thursday of the 27^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Gal 3:1-5; Lk 11:5-13)

After presenting submission to Church authorities as an important character of the preacher of the true gospel, St. Paul now appeals to the personal responsibility of the believers as a necessary discerning tool to distinguish the true gospel from the perverted gospel. Reason and common sense should be employed to discern and apply the gospel, while recognizing it as the work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian should be intelligent and wise, not foolish! This is because the true gospel does not violate reason, but enhances it and fills it with joy. So, the gospel message is reasonable and understandable, yet, it gives reason an eternal vision.

 

While those who preached ‘another gospel’ to the Galatians emphasized the law over faith, St. Paul expected the believers to use their reason and asked themselves if the Holy Spirit they received, and the miracles they experienced, were by law or by faith. “Does He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” So, in the midst of many fake preachers, one of the ways to know the true teaching of Christ is that it makes you more reasonable as you grow in understanding of the gospel. As you employ reason to understand the message and apply it to your life, your personal responsibility towards the gospel shines out.

Perverted approaches to the gospel exiles reason but exalts emotions; they are majorly emotive. Meditate on the parable Jesus told in the gospel of today, and see through it how reason and personal commitment are employed in our faith journey. A man went to his friend at an inconvenient time to request for three loaves of bread. When the friend turned him down, the response of a man operating with “another gospel” would have been to become emotional, react angrily even with the name of God. But the man schooled in the true gospel of Christ would remain calm, preserver in his request, and reason it out that if the friend could not give him because of their friendship, his persistent knocking at his door would make him to attend to him. Hence, Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” As father is conscientious in giving his children good things, God the Father is much more than the human fathers; the heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Thus, while God’s gifts are reasonable, still, He gives what reason cannot fully comprehend. The true gospel summons us to personal commitment, and at the same time, opens our eyes to see how everything we receive is the work of grace. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday October 6, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com