Wednesday, October 22, 2025

 

Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 6:12-18; Luke12:39-48)

In today’s first reading St. Paul addresses a question that most of his readers ask.  If followers of Christ are freed from the Law of Moses, may they do as they wish without consequences?  What the human being’s conniving heart means by this question are the pleasures of lust, gluttony, and avarice.  Without taking back his statement about Christ’s freeing the person from adherence to Torah, Paul defends the need to refrain from sin and to live virtuously.

Paul understands the human need for support.  Freed from the Jewish Law, the human being will look for another way of anchoring one’s life.  Most people choose some form of sin like overindulgence in pride, pleasure, or power.  But some will choose a life of moderation, service, and humility.  Choosing sin, Paul says, can only lead one away from Christ to death.  Choosing virtue will bring one to Christ, who is eternal life.

We should not seek an easy life.  Jesus never offered it to his followers.  We can look to him for support in life’s challenges.  He is a model to imitate, a brace to support us, and a goal to be aspired.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 6:12-18; Luke 12:39-47)

Although the comparison with American slavery is troublesome, St. Paul often describes himself and his converts as “slaves of God.”  He believes that people should not hesitate to trust themselves to a benevolent master like the Lord.  Paul sees the situation as imminently better than that of people who are under the aegis of a lax master.  In today’s reading from his letter to the Romans he describes both situations.

According to Paul, Christ has liberated those who accept him as Lord from sin.  Now they have a choice.  They can either give themselves over to their liberator as, in a sense, slaves to him.  Or they can hang free.  If they take the latter course, they will soon find themselves slaves again to some material obsession.  Pleasure, power, and prestige are three common masters who may be lax but under whom subjects are ruined.  Meanwhile, following the commands of the Lord leads to happiness and eternal life. 

We may recoil at the words “slaves of God” because of the often bitter experience of American slaves.  Yet we could not put ourselves in better hands.  God will not always dictate to us what we must do.  Rather, like wise parents when children mature, He will give us increasing autonomy.  We cannot do better with any other master.

Homilette for Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 6:12-18; Luke 12:39-48)

In today’s passage from Romans St. Paul deals with a question much like one that troubles society today. He knows that Christ has freed humans from the complexity of following the Law of Moses. The question then arises: since there is no law saying the contrary, is one free to sin? Today many ask whether the copious freedom cherished by western humanity is really good for people?

Paul answers the question of being free to sin negatively. He reasons that just as there is a slavish attention to the Law, there is also slavishness to sin. People give themselves over to sin and resultant death by doing what they know to be wrong. They usually cannot control themselves once they have started down the road to perdition. We can see this happening in addictions. Drug, alcohol, and sex addicts cannot stop doing immeasurable harm to themselves and others. Because of the damage, society to date has restricted freedom in these areas, at least a little.

Theologians after Paul have clarified the nature of true freedom. It is not only a lack of restriction but also an orientation to the good. Paul, somewhat awkwardly, calls true freedom “becoming slaves of righteousness.” It consists of practicing virtue continually so that doing what is right becomes as natural and as healthy as eating cereals and fruit for breakfast.

Homilette for Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Wednesday, XXIX Week of Ordinary Time

(Romans 6:12-18)

In the Letter to the Romans St. Paul deals with a question that plagues many people today. He knows that Christ has freed humans from the necessity of following the Law of Moses. The question that arises then concerns the extent of our freedom. If there is no law telling me contrary in any particular situation, we might ask, “Am I free to do what I want?” This situation mirrors what we might call “the crisis of freedom” in western society. Although there are plenty of laws, nevertheless freedom to do whatever brings one satisfaction is increasingly coveted. The situation has become critical because in the quest for freedom, many have forgotten their responsibilities.

Paul answers the question of being free to do whatever one likes negatively. He reasons that if there is a slavish attention to the Law, there is also a slavish freedom. People cannot stop themselves from doing what is harmful for themselves and others. We see this reality in addictions. Drug, sex, or alcoholics addicts hurt themselves and others. They did not have to involve themselves in these traps but chose to voluntarily. Likewise, they can opt out of the vices although doing so they will likely need some help.

Later theologians will clarify the nature of true freedom. It is not only a lack of restriction but also an orientation to do what is good. Paul awkwardly calls this freedom “becoming slaves of righteousness.” It consists of practicing virtue so that doing what is right becomes as natural as eating breakfast. True virtue requires effort. To play a Beethoven piano sonata naturally necessitates hundreds of hours of practice. Likewise, always providing a word of inspiration or extending a helpful hand requires repeated attempts not all of which hit the mark.