Daily Retreat 10/11/08
2008 Oct 11 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM
Gal 3:22-29/Ps 104(105):2-3, 4-5, 6-7/Lk 11:27-28
From today’s readings: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.... Rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!... Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Pedagogues
Many of the wealthier Romans retained pedagogues for their sons. Generally, these would be trusted, well-educated Greek slaves who were nonetheless given broad authority for the children’s education, welfare, and discipline. Of course, the boys would eventually grow to manhood and full autonomy - having (ideally) assimilated all the pedagogue had to teach, the new adult would then formally dismiss his slave, either for other work, or sometimes even for full freedom.
Paul explains that the Jewish ritual laws were a type of pedagogue - these were necessary for the time of spiritual childhood, but they have become superfluous, having served their purpose of leading the chosen people to the age of faith in Christ. Bear in mind that Paul is only referring to ritual laws such as circumcision and dietary restrictions - Paul never suggests that the moral laws, such as the Decalogue, have been made obsolete by Christ!
For Christians, faith in Christ thus has become the ultimate bond of unity that transcends all surface distinctions. As Paul puts it, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise.”
Gal 3:22-29/Ps 104(105):2-3, 4-5, 6-7/Lk 11:27-28
From today’s readings: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.... Rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!... Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Pedagogues
Many of the wealthier Romans retained pedagogues for their sons. Generally, these would be trusted, well-educated Greek slaves who were nonetheless given broad authority for the children’s education, welfare, and discipline. Of course, the boys would eventually grow to manhood and full autonomy - having (ideally) assimilated all the pedagogue had to teach, the new adult would then formally dismiss his slave, either for other work, or sometimes even for full freedom.
Paul explains that the Jewish ritual laws were a type of pedagogue - these were necessary for the time of spiritual childhood, but they have become superfluous, having served their purpose of leading the chosen people to the age of faith in Christ. Bear in mind that Paul is only referring to ritual laws such as circumcision and dietary restrictions - Paul never suggests that the moral laws, such as the Decalogue, have been made obsolete by Christ!
For Christians, faith in Christ thus has become the ultimate bond of unity that transcends all surface distinctions. As Paul puts it, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise.”
posted by FrPitstick | 10/09/2008
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