Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 26, 2016 - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21; Gal 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62]For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. [Galatians]
One of the surest ways to put gray hairs on a pastor's head is to get some kind of feud going in a parish over this or that "rule" or "policy" or, even worse, an argument begins, "But we've always done it this way..." (or at least since last week). St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians is an impassioned plea to that community not to allow themselves to be "imprisoned" in the Mosaic Law as a rule of faith. At the same time, he warns them not to use their "freedom" from those 613 precepts to adopt a "anything goes as long as you believe" way of life. And he points to their internal feuds as an example of a failure to "love your neighbor as yourself."
It is ever a human struggle to develop a way of life that promotes unity and love so that humans can live together without destroying one another. I had to study political theory in college and the variety of ways of community life ranged from total anarchy to total despotism. The Mosaic Law represents God's will to the Jewish people, but it is observed in a range of styles from Ultra-Orthodox to Reformed Judaism. In our own Catholic church, we have an enormous amount of legislation and "guidelines" that are supposed to help us "love one another," but from what I can see by a very cursory glance at some of the "Catholic" websites, we have a long way to go in observing all of these (assuming even a modicum of compliance). The attacks against this or that person (including Pope Francis!) for heresy and "unfaithfulness' are vicious at times.
I think St. Paul gives us a focal point. In today's gospel, two of the apostles closest to Jesus - James and John - were itching to destroy a Samaritan village for not offering hospitality! They got a well-desrved rebuke from Jesus. Love of God and neighbor requires a willingness to let go of pet procedures and ways so that a community can grow and flourish. Our discussions may be heated at times, but if we keep the commandment of love in front of us, we will give the Holy Spirit room to bring us forward. AMEN
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