The Law as Schoolmaster

On the day we commemorate St. Catherine the Great, Abp. Irineos discusses the epistle appointed for the commemoration of righteous women.  Using the language of Paul's corrective to the Galatians, Abp. Irineos looks at the apostle's teaching from three different angles as the Epistle progresses: the law, our baptism into Christ, and fittingly for the time, the incarnation.  Given the continuing heresy of Judaizing, Abp. Irineos examines the purpose of the law before Christ and why it must be fulfilled in Christ.  Paul rebukes the Galatians who had subjected the fullness of Christ to their own obedience of the law, and he reminds them that it is Christ who has fulfilled the promise, who has made them heirs, who has made all mankind One in God, and who has been made incarnate for us and for our salvation.  They that have ears to hear, let them hear!