ONE IN CHRIST

Meditation for Saturday of the 27^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Gal 3:22-29; Lk 11:27-28)

Today, St. Paul takes a mystical dimension in his defense of the authentic gospel, and to expose the errors of those who preached the perverted message. He argued that before faith in Christ Jesus was revealed, the law was given as a guide. “So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.” Now that Jesus Christ has been revealed, faith in Him is now our new rule of life; “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” All who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ, and have become one in Him. Ordinarily, one who has a sense of superiority might find it difficult to see himself as equal with others. But the grace of the true gospel enables us to overcome this obstacle, and live as one family of Christ, “For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

 

Meditate on that movement of grace that makes us one Body in Christ, where “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female.” This mystical experience of being one in Christ can only come through the true gospel of Christ. This experience is so overwhelming that it becomes the predominant identity in the believer. Thus, every other divisive natural identity will fade away. On the other hand, those who preach “another gospel”, which is based on the law and human understanding, will exalt these divisive identities. That is why the perverted gospel always tend to crack the unity of the Body of Christ, even in families and among friends.

 

If we are still living a life of segregation, tribalism, racism, or we look down on people because they are poor, disabled, uneducated, etc, it means we have perverted the gospel message in us, and did not allow it to overshadow and transform us. Those who hear the true gospel and receive it will have the mystical experience of being one in Christ, and they shall be blessed, and like Abraham, they shall become sources of blessings to others. St. Paul says, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” To the woman that acclaimed Jesus in the gospel of today, He said to her, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Saturday October 8, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com