Homily of Saturday of the 27th week in ordinary time.
Galatians 3:22-29, Luke 11: 27-28
I remember attending a driving school, where I used someone else’s car. The owner, who was likely much younger than I was, constantly guided and shouted at me. It felt stifling and even demeaning at times, as even things I did correctly were criticized, simply because my instructor was in a bad mood, something I hadn’t caused. I felt restricted, as he limited the places I could drive, probably due to the scarcity and high cost of fuel in Nigeria at the time. However, I held onto faith, knowing that driving school was just a temporary process on my journey to owning my own car. Once I had my own vehicle, I would be free to drive wherever I wanted, without anyone shouting at me or placing limits on my movements.
This experience reminds me of St. Paul’s message to the churches in Galatia, where he compares following the Jewish law to a temporary process guiding us toward faith in Jesus Christ. St. Paul explained that it is faith in Christ, not the Jewish law, that ultimately leads to salvation. The Jewish law was like a guide or “vehicle” leading people to faith, but with the coming of Christ, that old guidance was no longer needed. As Paul wrote in Galatians 3:23-25, “Before the time of faith had come, the Jewish law confined us… But with the coming of faith in Christ Jesus, we are no longer submitted to this guidance.”
Similarly, in Luke 11:27-28, Jesus emphasises the importance of hearing and keeping God’s word over societal achievements. In today’s world, many people prioritize fame, money, and power, but true fulfillment lies in peace, love, and faith in God.
May we seek these higher values through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
