Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
St. Teresa who is remembered today lived in a time not unlike our own. It was a time of huge cultural, social, religious and economic change. Today, we are starting to recover from face the worst economic crisis in a generation, along rapid technological and cultural change; Christianity is under more pressure than ever to be relevant. St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is also written in a time of great uncertainty, yet his admonition to the people in Galatia is pertinent to us today.
In today’s reading, St. Paul challenges the community to live a life guided by the Spirit. For Paul, our existence is no longer under the confines of the law. As we all have been crucified with Christ and raised to new life by virtue of our baptism. This ontological change means the law does not apply to followers of Jesus as it applied to the Jews. Therefore we are free to follow the Spirit. Freedom for Paul did not mean “freedom to” or the license to do as one pleased. Paul admonished the community in Galatia who may have been interpreting freedom more liberally than Paul intended. Paul goes so far as to say living immorally will obstruct ones entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Paul continues by listing the fruits of the spirit. If one is alive in the Spirit, one’s life should reflect the fruits of the spirit. These “first fruits” are the perfections of the Holy Spirit working in us to form us for eternal glory. Being guided by the Spirit means we must live in the service of love to others bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
It is in this context that we must interpret today’s gospel passage. Jesus uses harsh words with the Pharisees. He accuses them of paying no attention to love for God. He also criticizes them for imposing heavy burdens on others and not lifting one finger to help. to touch them. In other words, the Pharisees are being challenged to bear the fruit that God expects of everyone.
As we go through our day today let us be aware of the presence of God’s Spirit deep in our hearts. Then like Teresa, our lives will yield rich fruit which reflects our love for the Lord.
- Michael Montgomery