Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - Wednesday in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rom 6:12-18 and Luke 12:39-48,1099]But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted. Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. [Romans]
There are many folks of my vintage who remember that one of the defining cultural characteristics of Catholics was the observance of "fish on Friday." When this observance became voluntary outside of Lent, a great many were confused. The law was the law. The reason for the law (commemoration of Good Friday and the command to do penance) was often lost. The reasons became more obvious when the practice became voluntary. It is very hard for some folks to choose virtue as a reason for behavior in the absence of a specific law requiring the behavior. This may help us understand St. Paul's attitude toward the Mosaic Law and Christian life.
Before the Christ event behavior for Jews was regulated by the Mosaic Law, which included the Ten Commandments. One may read the Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy to get an idea of how life was regulated. St. Paul's conversion led him to see the law as a slavemaster and Christ as a liberator. However, freedom from the Mosaic Law would mean adoption of virtue in the values taught by Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit! This, of course, can lead to moral thinking of the kind characterized by this kind of statement: "There's no law AGAINST it, so it must be OK." Or, "There's no law REQUIRING it, so I don't HAVE TO do it." Jesus brought a new kind of "law" that places love of God and neighbor as the defining principle of Christian life. This means interior as well as exterior behavior. The details are left to wisdom and the virtues that come from the influence of the Holy Spirit. Some idea may be obtained from reading Matthew 25:31-45. ""When I was hungry, etc...."] or the parable of the Good Samaritan. [Luke 10:29-37].
To be a "slave of righteousness" means to be continually motivated to live according to the teaching of Jesus. Any "rules or laws" should have that goal in mind as well. AMEN
[Note to the Beloved Congregation. Beginning today, I will be out in Arizona until Friday, Oct. 29. Arizona is on California time during Daylight Saving Time. So, WTTW will seem to appear later than usual in the zones east of Arizona. ]