“…And Observe It"

“…And Observe It"

Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Piety

Before faith came, we were held in custody under the law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. 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. Galatians 3:23-27

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Luke 11:27-28

Study

In today’s Gospel, we have to be careful not to over-connect the two sentences.  Let’s not interpret the new “be-attitude” as a rebuke of the mother of Jesus or of the woman in the crowd. They too are included in the blessing.  But Jesus extends that blessing to emphasize that attentiveness to God’s word is more important than merely a biological relationship to Jesus.

The operative word is “listen” – again that first word of the Benedictine Rule. This attentiveness to Jesus’ words and actions guide us to faith rather than following any set of prescribed rules.

Pope Francis reminds us that “Jesus isn’t interested in people’s opinion polls and gossip.”  At the September 16th Angelus, the Pope said, “Faith that is reduced to formulas is short-sighted.”

Paul adds a further argument in support of righteousness or justification by faith and through God’s promise rather than by works of the law.  We are children of God.  The teaching moment in Gal 3:23–25 is that since faith (Christianity) has come, we are no longer under the law. 

The notes in the New American Bible explain that the word used for “disciplinarian” was the Greek “paidagōgos”.   This referred to a slave who escorted a child to school but did not teach or tutor; hence, a guardian or monitor but not a teacher.  In contrast to the child being escorted to school, with faith, we become daughters and sons of hope. 

Action

Have you “have put on Christ” or are you putting him off?  The Baptismal imagery today remind us that we are baptized in the present moment to live out our faith.  However, the sacrament does not just mark us in church when we wear the baptismal gown, oils, water, and candle. We carry that garment forth into the world to do justice.

47

I wore my righteousness like a garment; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame was I. (Job 29:14-15

We may not be asked (as Blessed Oscar Romero was) to give up our lives for the faith.  However, tomorrow, as a reminder, Pope Francis will wear the blood-stained cincture (rope belt) of almost St. Oscar.  This is from the  March 24, 1980 assassination seeking to silence his message of solidarity with El Salvador’s poor and oppressed.

What will you put on for Christ?  How will you observe what you hear with your action?