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From the Pastor’s Desk
For the rest of June, the second reading for Mass on Sunday – the Lord’s Day – will be coming from the Letter to the Galatians. Some scholars hold that this epistle is the “real” Paul – raw, emotional, fully defending their need to totally follow the Gospel of Christ. At times, as we read through this letter, one could even conclude that Paul is as combative as ever!
Along with the Letter to the Colossians (which will be proclaimed as the second reading at Mass on the Lord’s Day from the first Sunday in July into early August), these are my favorite Pauline epistles in the New Testament. In Galatians Paul’s treatment of freedom in Christ in chapter 5 is critical for each of us as Christian disciples to realize the kind of life we must be living, especially in manifesting the fruits of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22-23). Oh, how these fruits are necessary in today’s world!
In the Letter to the Colossians, Paul’s exhortation to live out one’s Baptism into Christ (see Col 3:12-17) is filled with reminders of how to practice Christian charity, particularly in forgiveness and tolerating one another. Additionally, the Apostle to the Gentiles will remind the Colossians that they must remain thankful, revealing this gratitude in song from one’s heart.
Each Sunday we come to be renewed in the most important gifts that God has bestowed on us and to be reminded how we must live this grace. As these two epistles are proclaimed over the next several weeks, we will have ample words to reflect upon, be challenged by, but most importantly, be formed by.
Love,
Father Tom