RBWords

     In any situation where the range of acceptable behavior is tightly controlled, human nature looks for "loopholes!"  As children we say to one another, "Mom said we can't do X, but she didn't say we couldn't do Y!"  (which was usually pretty close to X or at least as dangerous).  In other circumstances, we hear the expression, "I took advantage of a loophole in the law, etc."  We speak of procedural loopholes or tax loopholes.  What is really happening here is that people are looking for ways to commit less than admirable acts without being held legally responsible for them.  In short, if the "law" doesn't forbid it, I can do it!!!  St. Paul, in today's first scripture from Romans, says that approach is not compatible with Christian identity.  

     When St. Paul speaks of being "under the law," he is referring to righteousness that consists of either performing the acts required by the Mosaic Law or refraining from doing what that law prohibited.  No more and no less.  His point, however, is that true righteousness or "justification" comes not from the 613 precepts of the Torah but from faith in Jesus Christ.  Therefore our behavior is not regulated by an external list of do's and don't's but an internal identity that should guide us according to the "pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted."  This does not mean that we throw away the Ten Commandments, but rather that we "internalize" them along with the teaching from Christ that we have received.  Our faith in Christ should focus our attention on his teachings as our guide to moral conduct.  This attitude should be a positive one.  Instead of looking for what we "can get away with," we look for what is truly compatible with our faith.  The most important principles, as Jesus taught, are love of God and love of neighbor.  There is a big difference between looking at difficult decisions from the viewpoint of "what is regulated by law" and "what is regulated by love."  AMEN