Denial of One's Faith

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday, 28 Week in Ordinary Time Year II, October 13th, 2020

Texts: Gal. 5:1-6; Ps. 119:41-48; Luke 11:37-41

Many a time the way we live our lives  question the meaning of Jesus Christ in our lives. St. Paul, in today's first reading, makes the point that the faith in circumcision makes Jesus Christ to be of no value. Faith in circumcision is a denial of faith in Jesus Christ: Faith in Jesus Christ talks of righteousness as a free gift of God, merited by Christ redemptive action, while faith in circumcision sees righteousness as earned by obedience to the law. He puts it thus: "Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. You have fallen from grace." Faith in circumcision separates the people from Christ.

Many of us are like the people of Galatia; we claim to have faith in Jesus Christ, but we live in denial of the faith. Many of us are still attached to things such as charms, fortune-telling; many of us are still fetish and believe in other gods. Such practices and beliefs separate us from Christ and makes us fall from grace. People of this kind are the Pharisees of our time, and Jesus Christ says, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the out side of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of extortion and wickedness. You fool! Did not he who make the outside make the inside also?" What we believe with our hearts we must also live out in words and deeds. 

Living in denial of one's faith may be as result of lack of knowledge of the faith. The Galatians might not understand that the belief in circumcision was a denial of their faith in Jesus Christ. We need to learn more about our faith so as to be able to live it well. These days, we have more opportunities to learn about our faith. The teaching about the faith has gone online. Are you a Catholic, we have many priests now teaching the faith online; subscribe to your favorite sites and Facebook pages to learn more about your faith. Ask your question, and they will answer you. Apart from online, attend Bible study and know your faith program in your church.

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the gift of faith you have bestowed on us, help us to live in accord with the faith. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke