How Is The Law Holy, Just, And Good

 

 Begin with prayer to the Holy Spirit 

Readings : Romans 7:7-14

 

    St. Paul opens up another possibility of concern for his readers to inquire about, how can that which is holy, just, and good bring about sin? The dynamic that takes place between the law and sin is an educational reality of right and wrong. Without the law man has no set of rules whereby to judge what is right from that which is wrong. Without the law man is left victim to his conscience which may not prove to be precise in the analysis of right and wrong behavior. The conscience may not reveal the truth of what God requires of us, regarding acceptable behavior. It was the law that provided for us moral and social rules of conduct and behavior. The law reminds us that we are separated from God by depicting his character within its directives. 

 

    Though we may be powerless to achieve the pure sense of the law it still points toward God's holy, just and good character as well as His overall expectations for His creation. For those who may be parents and those who remember what it was like being a child yourself perhaps you can remember what it felt like when you were told of something you could not do or a particular item you could not have.  Perhaps this denial made the desire even greater. This is what happened to Adam and Ever in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-13) when they were told that there was something they could not have it seemed to make the forbidden fruit more desirable. This is what Paul is referring to when he speaks of the relationship that the law and sin seem to share. 

 

    St. Paul's use of the tenth commandment is certainly not just a random choice but one that touches the inward thoughts, choices, and motives of a person. The Greek word for covet is epithymeo which is defined as: to have a desire for, and to lust after those things which are forbidden. If we think of a person who has a desire to serve God through the law and carries these observances to the full letter and yet finds no relief he or she would be most miserable. It is the law that brings one to the reality and awareness of self and slavery to sin. One might say to the echo of today pulpits, whatever happened to sin? The law defines what the conscience attempts to obliterate, and goes a step further and demands one to be accountable. Although God does not expect the law to save us what He does expect as a response to the law is, for one to say as St. Paul writes, " Oh wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Rom.7:24) 

 

    Sin as Sacred Scripture defines and as we know it,  is very deceitful and deceptive. Sin and its attraction is analogous to Satan that came as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)  even using the law to disguise itself.  But in Christ we have a supernatural ability working within us to continue to walk in the spirit and apply the goodness and holiness of the law to our lives.       

 

                                                                                                            

Quotation for Meditation

Thou shall not covet is needed to remind us that the inquisitive instinct should not have the final word in life. There are certain elementary requirements which every society forgets to its peril and its loss. We still need to be confronted with the resolute proclamation of what God requires in our common life. There is a standard of mercy, justice, honesty, and integrity which cannot be lowered to suit the "immoral necessities" of an age which finds it too exacting. The law teaches us where we stand vis-à-vis the demands of God. We still need to learn that lesson. 

 

The Interpreter's Bible, Abingdon Press, New York-Nashville, Vol. IX, Pg.493

 

Quiet Time and Then Discussion

 

Questions for Meditation

  

1. What do we have to give us guidance as to what is right and wrong?

2. Does the knowledge of good and evil prevent us from sin? 

3. What helps us to overcome our sinful nature?

Prayer 

    Oh Divine Master, call us ever more powerfully to follow you on the way of holiness. Call us to sanctification by your life and death, by your Word and sacraments. Save those who are dear to us. Save those who have strayed away. Call to those who are perishing because you have died for us all. And make us by your grace witnesses to your salvation and holiness in this world in which we struggle on, guided by the light shining from your cross. Amen 

 

 

 Fr. Benedict J Groeschel, C.F. R., Healing The Original Wound, Servant Publications, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Pg.188