The Foolishness of the Galatians

Thursday 8th October 2020. Read Galatians 3:1-5, Psalm 1:69-75 & Luke 11:5-13

“Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Even though many Jews had become Christians, they still held on to the belief that circumcision was the ticket to salvation insisting that the newly converted Gentiles must be circumcised. This way, they were literally watering down everything Jesus did for us on the Cross of Calvary.

Paul had to come hard on them for thinking this way. He needed to drum it into their heads that they did not receive the Holy Spirit because they were circumcised but because of the faith, they had in Jesus Christ.

Indeed, it would be foolish to insist that one is saved merely by the act of circumcision. Faith in Jesus is what ensures our salvation, not the law. Nevertheless, as James would later clarify, this faith must reveal itself by good deeds done out of reciprocal love for God.

Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel passage that just like this man who inconvenienced his family to help a friend, God can do anything for you because you are His friend. In fact, God is not just a friend; He is also a Father; a responsible Father, a father who will not give His child serpent in place of fish or scorpion in place of an egg.

I like to think of it this way, whenever I pray, whatever be the outcome of my prayer is the fish and the egg God my Father wants me to have. Knowing that no single prayer we utter is wasted or unheard gives us the Faith not only to pray more but even to give thanks.

Dear friends, let us allow the words of Jesus Christ today to sink in deeply: “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10).

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my faith in your protection and providence. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Homily for Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Galatians 3:1-5, Psalm 1:69-75 and Luke 11:5-13).