Peter, Paul, and Jesus.

It seems to me that the disciple Peter retains vestiges of the Way of Good Works in his approach.

Some of his speeches in Acts and some of his writings in his Letters indicate that he favored the approach of Good Works.

While Paul retains vestiges of the Way of Asceticism or Self-Denial which includes the Mortification of the Body.

Paul's insistence on the enmity of body and spirit confirms this.

But Jesus' way is the Way of Love that transcends both the Way of Good Works and the Way of Asceticism.

The Way of Love leads directly to God.

And the imperatives of Love supersede the rules of Good Works and Asceticism.

Good Works seeks to gain Heaven and avoid hell by accumulating merit.

Asceticism seeks to deny earthly pleasures in the hope of gaining heavenly pleasures.

But Jesus made concessions to these rigid rules according to Love.

Love is the inmost nature of God.

And while He may accept the gestures of Good Works and Asceticism they are in no way compulsory.

Love leads directly to God.

And it is Love that God requires of us.

Photo Credit: Nick in exsilio Flickr via Compfight cc