Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Octoechos Tone 3. The Holy Apostle and Brother of the Lord in the Flesh James
Galatians 1:11-19; Luke 7:11-16
Read Galatians 1:11-19
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
One of the most distressing activities of human life is to have to defend oneself to others. One of the most vulnerable circumstances of human life is to be a parent, physical or spiritual – your heart is running around in someone else, and not only can you be hurt but, in your greater experience, you know how seriously your children can be too. Combine those two things and you have one of the most agonizing experiences one can go through.
Today’s reading finds the Apostle Paul, spiritual father to the Church in Galatia, having to defend his very apostleship to them to protect their Christian faith for them. Contrary to the Gospel, some were teaching that Gentile Christians must become Jews and practice their Christian faith as Jews. They tried to undermine Paul’s authoritative teaching by denying the legitimacy of his apostolic calling.
That is why Paul is adamant that he initially had no contact with those who were apostles before him, and very limited contact shortly thereafter. He did that, not to say that he was different than the other apostles but to say that he was the same. They had received the Gospel directly from Jesus Christ; so, did Paul. In the next chapter (2:9), Paul summarizes the later deliberations of the council at Jerusalem (detailed in Acts 15): “When they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship.”
Our legitimacy may be called into question as we persist in faith, hope, and love in relationship with others for the sake of their spiritual well-being. Self-examination of behaviour may be warranted but do not give up being who you are called to be.