Holy and Glorious Great-Martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George.
All-Night Vigil Feast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
Acts 10:21-33. Acts 12:1-11. John 7:1-13. John 15:17-16:2.
Read Acts 10:21-33
Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!
oday’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles invites us to reflect on the distinction between discipline and legalism within Christian contexts, we see a profound example in the interaction between St. Peter and Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This narrative illustrates the virtues of discipline over legalism and connects Jewish customs with the emerging Christian way of life.
Discipline involves building self-control and in a Christian sense, growing in virtue to resist being swayed by passions. For instance, setting a personal rule to go to bed early to manage daily tasks efficiently showcases discipline that adapts to personal needs, such as different sleep requirements or work schedules. Likewise a prayer rule helps us develop a habit of saying yes to God; and a fasting regiment will help us develop the discipline to be able to resist temptations. When we regularly say no to small good things that we want, such as avoiding meat on particular days of the week, we can more easily say no to the bad things that we want.
Contrastingly, legalism rigidly adheres to the specifics of a rule, often ignoring the underlying principle intended to guide the rule. An example of legalism would be insisting on sleeping exactly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, a schedule impractical for most. An overly rigid prayer rule might be difficult to maintain and result in us avoiding prayer. Likewise a strict approach to fasting can result in a lack of charity; just as a lacks approach, or an overzealous application of exception laws, to fasting can result in a loss of spiritual discipline.
Cornelius exemplifies disciplined spiritual practice through regular prayer and fasting. His approach, while not Jewish in form, reflects a devotion aligning with Christian virtues and demonstrates flexibility and attentiveness to God’s will. St. Peter’s decision to visit Cornelius, despite Jewish customs prohibiting interaction with Gentiles, highlights the discernment to prioritize the essence of God’s law over its literal interpretation.
The Catholic tradition emphasizes this spirit over the letter of the law, fostering relationships guided by love, mercy, and humility. It encourages observing spiritual practices like fasting and prayer with an understanding of their purpose: drawing closer to God and serving others compassionately.
Reflecting on Peter and Cornelius’s encounter reminds us that our spiritual discipline should adapt to circumstances and community needs, embodying Christ’s teachings to live out His resurrection effectively. The living Traditions of the Church is not something we blindly follow, but something we understand and live out in our daily lives. This model encourages us to shun rigid legalism in favor of a disciplined life that truly reflects, “Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!”