Another Gospel: May We Not Be Guilty Of This

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! ⁹ As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! ¹⁰ Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. ¹¹ For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; ¹² for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.- Galatians 1:6-12 NRSV

Another Gospel

The first reading in today’s Mass is a powerful one from St, Paul’s letter to the Galatians.  The Galatians had been infiltrated by Judaizers.  This sect believed that for one to follow Jesus they had to become Jewish first.  This would mean that older men would have to be circumcised, follow mosaic law, then they can become a Christian.

One Problem.

This was contrary to what St. Paul had taught them.  In fact, this whole issue had been settled definitively at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.  Sometimes we may be guilty of something similar without knowing it.  Look to Catholic Twitter for some of these things that may fall into the category.

Last summer that was a twitter debate about shorts.  Many were saying that if one is wearing shorts they should not come to Mass.  Should we dress up tp meet our Lord?  Sure.  However, one should not be excluded because of what they are wearing.  Maybe it is all they have.  Another Gospel.

Or maybe the endless debate on Twitter about communion on the tongue only.  Some say you should not receive unless it is on the tongue.  The early church received both ways.  Another Gospel.

May We Not Be Barriers

Lets not add barriers to people coming to Jesus and his church.  Yes we need to catechize and instruct, and if they want to follow these disciplines then more power to them.  Let’s not be guilty of adding another gospel that has no hope of saving.

I don’t mean to single out these two issues, and truly anything can be inserted in its place.  The world needs Jesus, his grace, and his church more than ever before.  May we be beacons of hope and mercy.  Instead of ones of judgment and divisiveness.  Let us not unknowingly be teaching another gospel that is contrary to the one Jesus gave to the Apostles and passed down through Apostolic Succession.

Saint Quotes

The only way to win audiences is to tell people about the life and death of Christ. Every other approach is a waste.
Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket. If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if the person takes the same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the word of God. If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity – the fire of love of God and neighbor – it will work wonders.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret

It is not that I want merely to be called a Christian, but to actually be one. Yes, if I prove to be one, then I can have the name.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Do not follow any road, but that which Christ trod. This road seems hard, but it is safe.
Saint Augustine