Daily Retreat 10/13/08
2008 Oct 13 Mon: Ordinary Weekday
Gal 4: 22-24. 26-27. 31 – 5: 1/ Ps 112(113): 1b-2. 3-4. 5a and 6-7/ Lk 11: 29-32
From today’s readings: “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.... Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.... This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah....”
Reading the Old Testament through the New Testament
Galatians is the first book of the New Testament we’ve seen in awhile for the lectionary’s first reading, and yet, interestingly enough, St. Paul turns our attention back to Genesis, as he reflects on the allegorical significance of Abraham’s two sons.
It is essential that we are aware of the essential unity and complementarity of the Old and New Testaments. Most Christians (including myself!) are far more familiar with the New Testament - while those scriptural books are certainly more crucial (from the Latin word crux, “cross”) to our faith, the Old Testament books are ultimately more fundamental (from the Latin fundamentum, “foundation), since they outline foundational groundwork laid by God in His plan of salvation.
People often tune out passages of Paul’s more complex reasoning simply because their lack of familiarity with the Old Testament makes it difficult for them to grasp the issues involved. But our faith offers us more than just catchword Christianity and a salvation of slogans - with mentors such as St. Paul, we’re meant to delve into the fullness of faith and comprehension of the whole of salvation history.
Gal 4: 22-24. 26-27. 31 – 5: 1/ Ps 112(113): 1b-2. 3-4. 5a and 6-7/ Lk 11: 29-32
From today’s readings: “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.... Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.... This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah....”
Reading the Old Testament through the New Testament
Galatians is the first book of the New Testament we’ve seen in awhile for the lectionary’s first reading, and yet, interestingly enough, St. Paul turns our attention back to Genesis, as he reflects on the allegorical significance of Abraham’s two sons.
It is essential that we are aware of the essential unity and complementarity of the Old and New Testaments. Most Christians (including myself!) are far more familiar with the New Testament - while those scriptural books are certainly more crucial (from the Latin word crux, “cross”) to our faith, the Old Testament books are ultimately more fundamental (from the Latin fundamentum, “foundation), since they outline foundational groundwork laid by God in His plan of salvation.
People often tune out passages of Paul’s more complex reasoning simply because their lack of familiarity with the Old Testament makes it difficult for them to grasp the issues involved. But our faith offers us more than just catchword Christianity and a salvation of slogans - with mentors such as St. Paul, we’re meant to delve into the fullness of faith and comprehension of the whole of salvation history.
posted by FrPitstick | 10/09/2008
<< Home