The change in the apostle Paul’s life was really quite dramatic. He had been a strict, zealous pharisee who dedicated his life to strict observance of the law in order to maintain a good relationship with God. As we know from his own letters, he even dedicated himself to the persecution and execution of Christians.
In today’s reading from the letter to the Galatians, we see a completely different way of life with God. Rather than being centered on laws and rules it is based on following the Spirit and what is in the heart. The works of the flesh, injustice, or immorality could be hidden or even justified in the Pharisees’ rigid system of laws. Yet today Paul says all that is crucified in a true Christian to the extent that all that is left in each of us are the works of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Pharisees’ law was a rigid law of minimalism whereas the new law of the Spirit of Christ from the Cross is a law of maximums. We see on one hand: Don’t do this or that (with all the legal definitions of what this or that are that reduce responsibilities) and on the other hand: Live in the Spirit (with no limitations or definitions that give us and open-ended responsibilities). This is who God is in our lives. This is who Christ is in our lives. This is how we are called to live with others.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.