"Heirs... Children."

I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, and empathy.  I ask to abstain from anxiety, anger, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance.  I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly.


Galatians 4:1-7
4My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; ²but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. ³So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ⁶And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ ⁷So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.


1) "...heirs;" "...when the fullness of time had come;" "...to redeem those who were under the law;" "...adoption as children;" "...you are children;" "...God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts;" "...no longer a slave, but a child;" "...if a child then also an heir;"


2) Unfortunately, or not, there are those in disagreement whether or not "the fullness of time had come." And even for those of us for whom "the fullness of time had come," it did not come complete, because it is already... but not yet.  And so we continue to wait. But in that time of waiting, "the law of Jewish observances" does not apply to those not first under the law. It's like we are in that stage of "adulthood" when we can drive, but we cant drink or vote.  So, kind of adults, but not really, or adults in some places, but not others. Paul's most ardent point, however, is that it is wrong for certain Christians to insist that other Christians observe the same practices for the sake of their salvation. They have accepted the Spirit of God's Son into their hearts, they love one another. There are no other requirements for reconciliation. How many times does Paul beseech us to love one another? As if loving one another, acting like we love one another regardless of how we feel, seems more than a challenging enough goal. And if we followed all the "laws and observances" but still failed to show love? What then? Heirs and children are heirs and children.  There is very little in heaven and earth that for good or bad, can sever the bond of heirs and children from their parents.


3) What is the invitation in all this? To love one another first and let all the practices come second, or even third. That's not as easy to do as it is to say.  I feel pretty strongly about certain practices and the reasoning and tradition behind them!


"Help us to love one another."


Breathprayer: "Heirs... Children."