To start with: I never thought St.Paul would use those words!!!“Has someone put a spell on you ….” [?!?!] (Gal 3:1)
“Are you foolish enough…” [?!?!] (Gal 3:3)
…boy he seems really frustrated!!! :-(
...but why is he?!
What’s all the fuss about?!
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The Galatians were a people to whom St.Paul had preached the Gospel. Accepting this Good News, they had received Baptism and were now a Community of Believers. :-)
BUT
Many Galatians were of Jewish origin and being so, they thought it was best that they not only believe the Gospel of Jesus and be Baptised but also be circumsized. :-(
Paul is mad!!!! (mad as in angry ...not mad as in crazy ;-)
Paul knows that these people, had received the Holy Spirit not because they merited such but rather because they had been given the grace to believe!
He also knows that outward signs are NOTHING compared to the Baptism and Gifts which they have received! Paul knows that it is not by circumcision that they are ‘justified’!
HENCE:
“Are you foolish enough to end in outward observances
Paul was indeed frustrated!!!
…but he Had all reason to so be!!!!
Oh brother!!!!!!! :-(
...yeah you can say that again!!!! :-(
Oh brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!
now can you see why st.Paul is frustrated?!?! ;-)
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“Have all the favours you received been wasted? [?!?!?!] And if this were so, they would most certainly have been wasted. [!!!!!!] ” (Gal 3:4)
…if it was circumsicion that justified them then the Holy Spirit would have been useless!!! ...logic!
…I’m tempted to say: you figure that one! ;-)“Does God give you the Spirit so freely and work miracles among you because you practice Law, or because you believed what was preached to you?” (Gal 3:5)
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The Grace of God is freely given!
I do not merit it and yet God gives it!
God, in His Great and Infinite Mercy, gives Grace! ...This is what Paul is saying! We are ‘justified’ not because of what we do NOR because we deserve to so be but rather, and solely this, because God, who is All Loving has chosen to bless us with Abundant Grace!
WOW!!!!!
St.Paul talks of Faith and being justified by Faith. The Gift of Faith is part of God’s Grace! It is God who gives it and it is us who receive it …IF we want to! ;-)
IF i want to!
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Here's a good link which explains this through song and dance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA
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“Faith without works is dead.”
said st.James (2:26)
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God’s Grace is ENORMOUS and SO BIG
…but we ...i... must accept it and live by it!
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…that is the only way we can be ‘saved’...
…that is the only way we can one day be with Jesus in heaven!
Not because I would have deserved such!
But solely because I’d have accepted God’s Grace through:
Accepting the Gift of Faith
and through God’s Grace and Help: Living the Faith!
…God’s Grace is more than I deserve and yet it is freely given!
Moreover:
"...where sin abounds, God’s Grace abounds further!" (Rom 5:20)
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I love this You Tube but I might like to amend the title ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9yrlYk-Bao
God's Grace is more than enough!
MUCH MORE than i can ever deserve!!
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"God has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old.
He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence." (Luke 1: 69, 70, 73-75)
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GRAZZI GESU!!!!
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You can hear these readings at today's Mass ;-)! The same readings can also be read by clicking the 'Emmaus' Picture on the right hand side. All pictures, though often cropped and/or edited, were found on the internet and remain the property of their rightful owners. Pls ignore and/or correct me if you find errors. (i'm not referring to spelling errors but errors in understanding ;-)
