Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 466

Scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. Before faith came, we were held in custody under 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.

In this passage from his letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul describes the maturity that comes to Jesus's disciples through their confidence in the Lord. They need not live in scrupulous anxiety about the Law. They can believe in Jesus, a man like us in all things but sin, who knows both our weakness and our loyalty to him. He trusts us as we trust him, and we can relax in his presence. 

I think of Paul's reassurances as I hear the anxiety of many adult Catholics, especially the older generation like my own, whose formation was so profoundly skewed by Jansenism, a Catholic form of Pharisaism. Jansenism insisted that God owes you nothing! and your salvation is never assured. You must be continually alert for even temptation is sinful, and if you are really devout you will never experience temptation or desire. Your mind should be pure. And, by the way, every angry impulse is sinful, as are all sexual thoughts, words, and deeds.

There is a more humane approach to life; we call it Life in Christ.

As children experience puberty, their growing strength further empowers their emotional impulses. Whereas small, unarmed children might angrily push, punch, and shove each other and do little harm, teenagers with the same impulses might maim or kill one other. They must discipline their new strength and agility. They need disciplinarians. Likewise, with their emerging sexual awareness and desire, they should appreciate its strength, dangers, and wonder. They must learn that inappropriate sexual words, gestures, and deeds can cause much harm. They need the law. 

The science of psychology tells us that the human brain doesn't fully appreciate and foresee consequences until adulthood. Young people need laws that are simple and blunt. They must understand that laws don't allow for disagreement. "The law doesn't care how you feel!" Teens should know that punishment, which is one consequence of illegal behavior, may be severe. 

But, attaining adulthood, the individual can think through ideas. They appreciate the possibility of consequences, and that not all are foreseen. And they also find that their impulses have become manageable. A thought is not an impulse, and an impulse is not an action. Adults don't fall into or out of love, but they can decide to love. Unfortunately that maturity doesn't come to everyone at the same time, and some people may never get it. We'll always need laws. 

But there is a maturity in faith that no longer asks, "Is it a sin to feel angry, lustful, or envious?" As Saint Paul says in today's reading, 

"...now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus."

Christians are especially blessed to have the Gospel. It provides the teachings and stories of Jesus, and his graceful, powerful presence. Christianity also provides the New Testament teachings of Saint Paul. Unlike Jesus, who because he is divine remains somewhat inscrutable, the Apostle shows us how one adult Christian thinks, feels, and responds in the Spirit of Jesus. This a very great treasure.

Adult Christians, comfortable with their adult bodies, aware of their thoughts, feelings, and desires, alert to both opportunities and dangers, attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in an ever changing world, can surrender to laughter, sorrow, and sexual desire; as well as compassion and righteous anger. They know the Fear of the Lord and the Love of God. They continually pray for guidance to discern the time, the right moment, for  

God has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts (that they might) find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. (see Ecclesiastes 3:11)