Word to the Wise
Saturday, October 13, 2012 - Saturday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gal 3:22-29 and Luke 11:27-28]For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise. [Galatians]
St. Paul's words about equality in faith have been pondered and debated for centuries. The fundamental question might be put this way: "Does equality in faith mean equality in life?" Even after accepting Christ, it would appear that categories of class still existed in the community. The First Letter to the Corinthians addresses that as a serious problem at the celebration of the eucharist. Yet Paul also seems to take certain institutions like slavery or male dominance for granted. How does our equality in faith translate into love and justice?
This question parallels struggles in our own country with regard to making the blessings of liberty available to everyone. Are we Christians held to a higher standard? The question arises in the church with regard to the role of women. Our church has a long way to go on this latter subject! At the end of the day, if we are not troubled by St. Paul's words, we are in worse "trouble." AMEN
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