Reflection for Friday, October 21, 2005: 29th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Dilly, Barbara
Issue Date
2005-10-21
Type
Essay
Language
en_US
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Abstract
As a cultural anthropologist, I teach students about the importance of legal systems in the development of a just and orderly society. As ancient state societies emerged, systems of law and order accompanied increasing levels of material wealth and social complexity. Law enforcement systems were formed to protect legal rights and hierarchies of judges and magistrates were designed to adjudicate disputes. We can see in the world today that where there is no rule of law, there is chaos and corruption. Democracies can not flourish without legislative bodies to enact laws for the good of the entire society. And whether we like it or not, most of us are "law-abiding citizens" for our own good as much as for the good of others. Here in the U.S., we are thankful to live in a society in which we are all equal under the statutes of law.|| But the Scripture lessons tell us there are other principles of law that guide our lives and actions. A statute is a law enacted by a legislative body. By general definition, a law is a rule of conduct established and enforced by authority or custom as much as by legislation. A St. Paul says to the Romans that he discovered another principle of law. There is a law of human nature that makes it difficult to do good because of the sin that dwells in us. Our minds are captive to that sin, says Paul. Our problem with doing evil even when we do not want to is a rule of conduct established by the authority of sin. It is a common custom. ||One way to deal with the problem of evil that dwells in all of us is to establish a civil society under the rule of law. At the time of Jesus, the Romans had enacted complex statutes of law for civil society and systems of enforcement. And so had the religious leaders of the time codified extensive rules of conduct and consequences for violators. But Jesus said that that those systems were not enough to create a just society or guarantee our freedom from sin. He said we ought to be aware of a higher authority within us all that makes it possible to know what is right and provides the principles for just living. Jesus calls us to discover the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord's statutes, known to us in the commandments. The authority of these statutes and precepts dwells within us along with the authority of sin. But the authority of the Lord is greater. It delivers us from the authority of sin says Paul. We can take delight in that! And we can discover the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord's statutes through religious education. I don't teach those classes here at Creighton, but there are many who do. We can take delight in that!
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Publisher
University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.