In today’s First Reading Paul reminds the Galatians, and he reminds us, that there is only one Gospel, one message, and changing it would make it something other than a road map for our salvation. Our Lord wanted to share a message of salvation with us, and he entrusted it to his apostles, who in turn transmitted it to their successors, century after century. The Church gives witness to this message and, aided by the Holy Spirit, ensures its accurate transmission and authentic application.
The Gospel message is not just important because it has survived two thousand years of human history, or because it contains great wisdom. The Gospel message is important because it was given to us by God. God the Son gave us this message, and anyone would agree that if you receive a message from God you should not only pay attention but also put it into practice. Our Lord today summarizes the core of the Gospel today: love for God and love for neighbor. Nothing else in the world, religious or otherwise, will save us if it is separated from that core message.
The case of the Galatians reminds us that even today people try to distort the Gospel message or simply misunderstand it. Just as the Galatians could count on Paul to keep them on track, let’s trust to Church to help us live the Gospel in a 100% authentic way.
Readings: Galatians 1:6–12; Psalm 111:1b–2, 7–9, 10c; Gospel Luke 10:25–37. See also 15th Week in Ordinary Time, Sunday, Cycle C, 3rd Week of Lent,Friday, 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday and 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, and 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday.