Homily: Beware of False Teachers
Some preachers upset people about church teaching but they teach falsely
Today’s first reading gives an account of what leads to the first council in the Church. Notice there are some preachers that come to Antioch and preach that Christians still had to live by the Mosaic laws in order to be saved.
These are the laws the Pharisees used to attack Jesus. You find them in what the Jews call the Torah that rule different aspects of Jewish life. They require rest of the Sabbath which is Saturday, refraining from unclean animals in their dietary restrictions and, of course, circumcision which is the mark of the covenant between God and Abraham.
So, we have these preachers come into Antioch and preach this message that the new Christians, Jew and Gentile must follow the Mosaic Law and as you can see it causes a great conflict in the community. However, notice also there is a formula there with which we must familiarize ourselves so that we can recognize it.
The formula says that in order to be saved one must live the mosaic law. St. Paul dismisses the law in Romans and clearly did in Antioch. He was an intense pharisee before he converted and he remains intense but is an intense Christian afterwards.
Paul dismissed the Mosaic law as part of the previous covenant and even argued with Peter about it. Later, he grows intensely angry at any preacher who demands this continued obedience to the mosaic law.
Jesus fulfilled the law
Why is this such a hot topic. Well, it undermines what we truly believe. The law of Moses was a law all Jews had to follow and that was how they showed their faithfulness to God. However, remember, this is before Jesus’ death and resurrection. When Jesus dies on the Cross he lived the law perfectly and, therefore, became the fullfillment of the law. This means that the law no longer applied because Jesus fulfilled it.
Paul’s argument which is of course Church teaching today is that if Christians have to still live the Mosaic Law, then Jesus died in vain. That is because Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. If we still have to live the law then Jesus is not its fulfillment.
He was adamant about this and had no love or patience for anyone who preached the Mosaic law still applied to Christians.
Obviously, that teaching prevailed to this day. However, let us look more closely at this. Again, notice the formula, someone comes in and teaches something that is not what the Church actually teaches and warns that anyone who does not listen to them will not be saved.
A familiar formula
Does that formula look familiar to you. If it does not then let me remind you. How many people have you heard tell you that unless you follow a certain teaching you will not be saved. Maybe it is the Latin Mass or it is that you are not refraining from meat on Fridays or women are not wearing veils and more.
Maybe it is that you are watching certain TV shows or movies. Reading certain books, going to certain places.
Of course, we have Boston Calling this weekend and I being the Baby Boomer I am had to contend with people teaching that Rock and Roll is evil and the music of the Devil. There are still people who will tell you that Rock and Roll is evil—especially, Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven . A friend of mine and I did an experiment in college that completely disproved that idea.
We have to look at what the Church actually teaches. This is what happens here, there is a council, the first of all the councils to figure out in prayer opening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit what is the truth on the mosaic law and it was determined that it no longer applied. That is still what the Church actually teaches. However, notice again the formula, if you do not do this, then you will not be saved.
Anytime you hear this, question it and seek what the Church actually teaches. That is always the bottom line. Notice something else and this is a real key, there is no mention of prayer. Of course, you know that prayer is essential. Over and over again I hear these people who will scare you to believe that you are on your way to Hell, give you all kinds of rules and stories and almost never mention prayer.
Prayer is always first
Prayer is always first. St. Alphonsus Liguori said that those who pray for salvation will be saved. So simply ask the Lord to guide you where he wants you to be in your prayer and trust in that and when you hear someone else telling you that you cannot be saved because you did not follow a rule. Ignore them and focus on your prayer and what the Church actually teaches.
I am reminded when I have taken my car to one of those quick oil change places, they will always find something else wrong, that is the nature of the business. I thank them for their advice and take up the matter with my regular mechanic. I don’t let them scare me, I have someone I can trust to verify their concern. The same with you. Church teaching is always accessible and can help you verify what the Church actually teaches and anyone who tells you otherwise, just wish them a good day.
Never listen to someone who claims because you did not X,Y or Z or because you do do X, Y or Z that you are going to Hell. Seek only what the Church teaches.
Finally, remember, some of those rock stars who every anti-rock person says is Satanic are actually practicing their faith every weekend.
Fr. Robert J Carr is pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Allston, MA
The parish podcast is at CatholicAudioMedia.com
The newest edition of Fr Robert J Carr's latest book is now available. Christ in Our Humanity. You can find it here.