NOTES for Gal 5:22-6:2
In today’s apostolic reading, the apostle Paul reveals to us a striking interpretation of sacred history. He says that the promise to Abraham had in view the coming of Christ, while the law, which appeared four hundred and thirty years later, was a special form of help for unruly humanity so that we would not perish without support before meeting Christ. The law in itself, an impersonal norm, does not enable us to meet Christ; it is needed so that “on the way” to this meeting we do not turn aside. In the same way, a photograph of the woman one loves is useful during separation, helping one not to forget the features of her face, but it is not the photograph that brings about the meeting with her.