Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

  - Luke 19.8

He who steals someone else’s property by any means shall restore four times as much to him whom he has injured.

  - The Penitential of Cummean, Irish, 7th century[1]

It’s become apparent to many people that civilization is slipping away from us.

ISIS, Charleston, Baltimore, an economy motivated and sustained by greed, a political system infested with self-interest more than the common weal, schools that don’t educate, pop culture that debases, civility on the decline, the arts a mess.

All the civilizing influences in our society seem to have lost their potency.

Including, alas, the Church.

Christianity exerted a powerful civilizing influence on the wild Celtic tribes of Ireland and Scotland between the 5^th and 9^th centuries. Only after those lands converted to faith did cities emerge and laws come into being to bring order and security to society.

The influence behind the preparation of those laws was Christian faith, and the source from which those laws came was the spiritual discipline of penance, as prescribed in the various penitential handbooks in wide use during these years.

For Celtic Christians penance was a tool for restoring righteousness and justice to relationships and communities. It frequently drew from the Law of God, as in our example above (cf. Ex. 22.1). The basic idea behind penance was to correct behavior that was contrary to the Word of God. It was applied firmly but lovingly under the oversight of pastors and spiritual friends.

So effective were the priests and abbots of Celtic Ireland in leading others out of sinful behaviors into more civilized ways of living that they were welcomed in the courts of kings and other rulers to aid in creating laws more in line with the Word and will of God. Having proved the transforming power of God’s Law in their own restricted communities, they were invited to participate in the establishment of just forms of government for the larger society.

Here is a lesson we need to learn, which, if we do, may position the Church to lead our nation back to civilization.

When the Church begins to embody the teaching of God’s Law – unto holiness, righteousness, and goodness in all our communities (Rom. 7.12; Matt. 22.34-40) – we will find others more willing to listen to our recommendations concerning how the larger social order ought to be organized.

When our salvation begins, like that of Zacchaeus, to issue in eager obedience to the Law of love, then people will say, as Jesus did, that truly the salvation of God is at work among us.

How civilizing an influence is the Law of God in your life?

This is a good time to incorporate reading and meditation in God’s Law into your regimen of spiritual disciplines. The Law of God forms the soul in the way of love for God and neighbors. No wonder it is a favorite retreat of the true disciple of the Lord (cf. Ps. 1; 1 Jn. 2.1-6).

The Law does not save us. The Law marks out the path which those who are saved must walk, so that they might know the real purpose and power of living in the Kingdom of God (1 Jn. 2.1-6; Matt. 5.17-19).

The Law of God can civilize our souls as surely as it civilized pagan Irish society. And we could all do with a little more civilizing grace and truth.

Psalm 119.1-8 (Ode to Joy: “God, All Nations Sing Thy Glory”)
Blest are they whose way is blameless
All who walk within God’s Law,
Who, His testimonies keeping,
Seek Him, filled with joy and awe.
These are they who, no wrong doing,
Ever walk within God’s ways.
Lord, Your precepts You command us;
We would keep them all our days.

Lord, grant Your most helpful assistance to me, though I am least of all the deserving. Adapted from Colum Cille, Altus Prosator

Concerning which…
One of our burdens at The Fellowship of Ailbe is to liberate believers from wrong-headed views about the Law of God. We publish a daily column, In the Gates, which looks at the Law from various perspectives in order to increase familiarity with and confidence in this holy and righteous and good body of revelation. Our current series is investigating the Law as the foundation for our Christian worldview. Check it out daily, and see if you don’t agree that the Law of God is the acorn to the oak of Scripture. In addition, two books are available in our bookstore to help you grow in your love for the Law of God. The Ground for Christian Ethics presents an overview of why the Law matters and how we can make the best use of it, while The Law of God provides a compilation of the commandments and related case laws that can help us see the wisdom and practical benefit from loving and walking in God’s Law.

Sign-up for enewsletters
You should also note at the website (www.ailbe.org) that we now offer three new email newsletters. You’ll need to sign-up for them if you wish to receive them. Men at Prayer is the weekly newsletter for men who have committed to our movement of men in prayer. Pastor to Pastor provides a monthly devotional resource for pastors, drawn from the great pastors of Church history, together with a weekly newsletter and opportunities to join with other pastors to pray for revival. ViewPoint is our daily worldview podcast/newsletter, which each day for a week develops a theme, then offers the whole week in a free study that you can download and use for yourself or your groups. And there’s more to come, so keep an eye on this section of Crosfigell.

Community Action Groups
In another week or so we’ll be offering information about Community Action Groups. We’re hoping to have two or three ready for participation this fall, so watch this page and I’ll tell you how to get information about this new development.

Thanks so much for your prayers and gifts. Your contribution at this time would greatly encourage us, as we are opening several new lines of ministry, adding staff, and getting ready to offer new opportunities for you to grow and serve. Send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452, or use the donate button here or at the website.

Psalms to Pray for Today and Thursday
Today
Morning: Psalm 119.41-48; Psalm 80
Evening: Psalm 6

Tuesday
Morning: Psalm 119.49-56; Psalm 81
Evening: Psalm 7

T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.