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You seem not to be listening.

Arguing about specific actions is beside the point. The point is that the Law did not bring righteousness. That is what Paul says.

You misread this entirely to try to turn it into an anti-Roman polemic.

Is it a "good work" to refrain from pork products? Is it a "good work" to shun your wife during here menses? Is it a "good work" to sacrifice a turtledove upon your firstborn?

Christians follow the Spirit in doing good for their neighbors. Not the Law. It shouldn't take a Catholic to explain to you the difference between the Old and New Covenants. Really.

Christians following the Spirit and doing "good things" are to be rewarded and such good things are necessary for our faith to be real and for our salvation. It has nothing to do with Galatians and the verse you wrench out of context.

I'm beginning to believe you aren't pulling my leg.

You seem not to be listening. Arguing about specific actions is beside the point. The point is that the Law did not bring righteousness. That is what Paul says. You misread this entirely to try to turn it into an anti-Roman polemic.

The Old Testament Jews had Faith and Good Works.

Paul says that they were Justified by their Faith, and not by their Good Works.

'Nuff Said.

Is it a "good work" to refrain from pork products? Is it a "good work" to shun your wife during here menses? Is it a "good work" to sacrifice a turtledove upon your firstborn?

These were all Good Works to those whom they were given, for it is always a Good Work for a believer to practice the Law of God.

However, you'd have a hard time making the case that these Laws were ever given to Gentiles, or are still (after the Incarnation) binding on Jews.

However, when did "Love thy Neighbor" become irrelevant? It is a Good Work for Christians to practice this Law of God, is it not?

Christians follow the Spirit in doing good for their neighbors. Not the Law. It shouldn't take a Catholic to explain to you the difference between the Old and New Covenants. Really. Christians following the Spirit and doing "good things" are to be rewarded and such good things are necessary for our faith to be real and for our salvation. It has nothing to do with Galatians and the verse you wrench out of context. I'm beginning to believe you aren't pulling my leg. SD

When Christians do Good Works in the Spirit, they are practicing the Law of God: "Love thy Neighbor".
And when faithful Old Testament Jews practiced the Law of God in believing obedience to God, they were Following the Spirit.

Therefore, the Galatians passage is not wrenched out of context, for it has always been -- Old Testament and New -- a Good Work for the Faithful to practice the Law of God.

And, both Old Testament and New, it is their Faith which justifies, and NOT their Good Works. (Galatians 2:16)

***Christians following the Spirit and doing "good things" are to be rewarded and such good things are necessary for our faith to be real and for our salvation.***

Those who do right in order to be rewarded for it are acting selfishly. Selfishness is at the bottom of their character, they abstain from sin only lest they should suffer, and they obey only that they may be safe and happy. The man who does right, not because of heaven or hell, but because God has saved him, and he loves the God who saved him, is the truly right loving man. He who loves right because God loves it has risen out of the bog of selfishness and is capable of the loftiest virtue. He has in him a living spring, which will well up and flow forth in holy living so long as he exists.

Woody.