Word to the Wise
Monday, October 11, 2010 - Monday in the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
[Galatians 4:22-24, 28-27, 31-5:1 and Luke 11:29-32]For freedom Christ has set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
When I was pastor at Tulane University (1998-2003), on Saturday evenings, I could see Orthodox Jews walking to the Orthodox Jewish Student Center around the corner from Tulane Catholic Center. They seemed like good people to me and I did not see them as "slaves" to a way of life. They were and are people of faith who believe that God has called them to live in the manner in which they live. St. Paul objected to the Galatians going back to the way of life under the Mosaic Law because the danger was in believing that observance of the law brought about salvation, and not Christ. There is, however, nothing that would prohibit a Catholic from living the way of life that strict observance of the Mosaic Law would demand, as long as they do not attribute salvation to it. There are other ways of being slaves to a way of life. The modern word, "workoholism" captures some of this. Addiction also creates a way of life that enslaves. St. Paul's words could apply to any of the "false gods" that we create through our lifestyle. One hears the expression: Do I own this thing or does this thing own me? This becomes especially significant if the "ownership" becomes an obstacle to the love of God and neighbor! A clear and honest look at our life and everything in it with a view to looking for the freedom that Christ has given to us might reveal that we have allowed ourselves to be enslaved here and there. It might be a time to aim for freedom! AMEN
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