Readings: Galatians 3:1-5, Luke 1:69-75, Luke 11:5-13
“Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the Flesh? Did you experience so many things in vain? -- if it really is in vain. 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?” (Galatians 3:3-5)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned: “Anyone who calls his brother ‘fool’ shall be liable to hell” (Matthew 5:22). Shockingly, in today’s First Reading, we hear St. Paul refer to the Galatians as foolish. Why was he so hard on the Galatians?
- Paul called the Galatians foolish because they did not understand the Scriptures. The Galatians forgot that circumcision was nothing more than a sign of being set apart from the rest of the people. (Genesis 17:11). The Galatians discriminated among the Gentile Christian converts, insisting that they must be circumcised before becoming members of the Church. This was Peter’s stance before God showed him a vision warning him not to call anything God has made unclean.
- Peter would later understand the meaning of his vision when he went to the house of Cornelius and saw the Holy Spirit descend upon the entire household (as it happened on Pentecost day) even though none were circumcised. (Acts 10:1-48). If Cornelius and his household manifested the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit by believing in Jesus Christ, faith is far more important than the flesh (circumcision). St. Paul asked: “Having begun by faith, are you now ending in the flesh?”
- By calling them foolish, Paul did not insult them but drew their attention to the seriousness of their erroneous theology. We are saved by faith, not by circumcision. If circumcision alone were enough for our salvation, then there would have been no need for Jesus to die on the Cross for us. By emphasising circumcision (works of the Law), the Galatian Christians portrayed salvation as something one could attain without faith in Christ Jesus. We are saved not by our works but by faith in Jesus Christ. St. James would later explain that this faith manifests itself in good deeds. (James 2:17)
- In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus continues His teaching on Prayer. Having given us the structure (words) of prayer, in Luke 11:1-4, Jesus proceeds in today’s Gospel passage to explain the power of prayer. Prayer consists of words, but these words can move God; prayer can change God. In the parable of a friend who needed help in the middle of the night, Jesus teaches us that even if God (like one who is already sleeping with his family at home) did not intend to answer your prayer initially, your persistence could make God go the extra mile (wake up his family) to help you.
- Never give up on God. Your blessing may be delayed, but it will not be denied to you. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10). Always trust that whatever happens is for your good whenever you pray. Once again, Jesus reminds us that God is a Father who will not give his children a stone when they ask for bread. If, as earthly parents, we always give our children the best, how much more God?
- In conclusion, just as it would be foolish to trust that circumcision alone is enough for our salvation, it is foolish to assume that words enough are enough for prayer. Our words must be accompanied by faith that all things are possible with God. A deep trust in God must accompany our words. God is a Father who truly cares for his children and will go the extra mile to rescue us when we are in need.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant us a deeper faith in you, a faith large enough to accommodate Christians from different cultural backgrounds. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 27 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Galatians 3:1-5, Luke 1:69-75, Luke 11:5-13).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu