The Law Cuts Both Ways: A First Sermon on Galatians

In the first sermon in his series on St. Paul's letter to the Galatians, Father Justin invites us to reconsider our understanding of what Paul (andMartin Luther after him) calls "the Law." Paul talks about God using the Law in two ways: as a mirror to reveal our imperfection, and as a guide for civil society. While the Law remains important for maintaining order, in that second sense, it's no longer the source of our righteousness or shame before God, in the first sense. Expecting that we can fulfill the righteousness laid down by the Law on our own, or expecting others to do so, is a recipe for disappointment. The Law cuts both ways, ensnaring both us and those whom we blame in its judgment and guilt. The Gospel invites us to another way: to release the burden of perfectionism and find freedom in God's unconditional love and mercy in Christ.