The readings of today illustrate the qualities of faith in comparison to law or tradition. The first reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians (Gal 3:22-29) centers on justification by faith. On its part, the Gospel (Lk 11:27-28) reminds us of the imperative obedience to God’s word. Whether in Christian history, theology, or everyday life, we face the challenges of faithfulness and commitment to our faith. Our faith in God is also marked by a continuous search for understanding (according to Anselm of Canterbury). What does it mean to have faith and why does St Paul stress the place of faith over and above obedience to the law? To me, these readings summarize faith as a way of life. To understand this argument, we need to have a clear idea of what is meant by faith in contrast to law in Paul’s understanding.
Justification expressing itself through faith in Jesus Christ
In the first reading, Paul advocates for justification through faith, rather than through the law. In his letter to the Galatians, he maintains that faith came with Jesus Christ through whom the promise of salvation is given to believers. As the reading puts forward: “Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed.” Furthermore, law existed for a purpose, namely, to hold people in custody as a disciplinarian until Christ comes.
In contrast to the law, the coming of Christ is the era of faith. This is clearly expressed in the reading as follows: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. For through faith, you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Thus, Paul urges the believers to solely embrace faith expressing itself through faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to be justified.
The outcomes of faith are the following: bridging of enmity and segregation (no more Jews or Greek); freedom for all (neither slave nor freeperson); equality of all (neither male nor female); “for you are all one in Christ.” Paul says that no one is justified before God by the law, rather, the just person will live by faith, (a quotation from Habakkuk 2:4). Paul’s point of view is neither to derogate the law nor to depict that it is beyond human fulfilment, but rather, in terms of rightly relating to God, the law is secondary to faith. That is to say, faith and the law are not exclusive, but faith supersedes the law.
Why faith is fundamental in our relationship with God
Particularly, the first reading portrays Abraham as one who represents faith. For example, Abraham believes that God will keep his promise. Let us remember God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15, 6 that his offspring will outnumber the stars in the sky. Abraham’s faith is belief that God will keep his word. The verb-form of faith throughout the New Testament most commonly denotes belief in God who has revealed himself, as benevolent in his attitude toward humankind, particularly toward those who follow and believe his ways.
It is further construed in the sense of trust. In noun form Paul’s letters, e.g., Gal. 3:9 refer to faith as confidence in God and trust in his power. Pauline faith, then, is trusting belief in God. All who believe in Christ also believe in God’s promise to Abraham. Paul’s reference to Abraham in this passage is for a purpose. He explains that the faithful, those who believe in God, share in the same faith and the same promise as Abraham. Hence, Paul contrasts the law against the promises God made to Abraham in Genesis 15, 6 (Gal. 3:15-18). With these instances, Paul gives us a picture of faith in contrast to law. Law connotes intricate series of imperatives.
In contrast to the law, faith as a trusting belief opens us up to a relationship regardless of the law or its fulfilment. In following the way of God as it is revealed in Christ, we accept God’s promises to save us. And are justified by our faith in spite of our unworthiness. This is so given that like love, faith as trusting belief assists us in our striving towards a right relationship with God. This leads to the fulfilment of the law.
Reference:
Blackman, Edwin C. “Justification, Justify,” and “Faith” in The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1984
