Good And Bad News

October 6: Monday of Week 27 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Galatians 1:6-12; Psalm 111:1-2, 7-8, 9, 10; Luke 10:25-37

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship? 

(To support Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life... Step Five).

Good And Bad News

“Great are the works of the Lord” (Psalm 111:2).

Paul was on fire wth the Good News. Enough to fight for it. What he really said to the Galatians was, “Damn those who preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached!” What were they preaching?

It was the Gospel we may have grown up with: the “bad” Good News that what religion is all about is keeping the rules. And professing our faith in the right words. We thought “faithful stewardship” (though we didn’t use the word!) meant saying and doing what the Catholic Church told us to—whether or not we understood the deep mystery of the doctrines or the mind and heart of God as revealed in his laws.

We were brought up infected by the “leaven—that is, the teaching—of the Pharisees” (Matthew 16:6-12). The focus was on laws, not love; on conformity, not conscience; on obeying God, not knowing him. Acceptance was based on behavior. Paul said of those who preach this, “To Hell with them!” His words, not mine.

Jesus told us to focus on loving God passionately—“with all your heart, strength and being”—and showing love for people by “mercy”—looking not at what people are doing, but at what they are and can become. “Do this,” he said, “and you will live”— and let live.

PRAY: “Lord, give me life. Let me know you and love you.”

PRACTICE: Focus on personal relationship, always.