3rd Sunday after Pentecost -- Galatians and Union with Christ

Reading: Galatians 2:11-21 While Paul, earlier in Galatians, asserted his authority to proclaim the gospel through the commission of Christ, he does so to ensure the gospel is not compromised.  For Paul, the gospel that we are justified by faith in Christ (or faithfulness of Christ) apart from the law means that the Law or traditions or works are not the basis for making distinct the people of God.  Rather, a reorientation is necessary to see that it is Christ's union with the chosen that marks us now as the people of God.