Word to the Wise
Monday, October 16, 2017 - Monday in the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rom 1:1-7 and Luke 11:29-32]Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an Apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the Gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. [Romans]
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2017 MONDAY IN THE TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
[Romans 1:1-7 and Luke 11:29-32]
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an Apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the Gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. [Romans]
It may be just coincidence that the lectionary first scripture from Romans appears in October, but to have this happen in the 500th year since the beginning of the "Reformation" which is usually celebrated at the end of October seems more than coincidence. Martin Luther, an Augustinian friar, beset with anxiety about his salvation and infuriated by the state of the church in 1517, published a set of theological propositions that attacked fundamental church teachings and practices, especially in the realm of indulgences (which were being preached locally by a Dominican named Tetzel to raise money for the construction of St. Peter's in Rome!). Luther was inspired by a line from the first chapter of Romans (1:17): "The one who is righteous by faith will live." The "sola fides" (faith alone) concept would become a core preaching of the Reformation along with "sola scriptura" (scripture alone).
I urge the Beloved Congregation to take the time to read the entire Letter to the Romans. Paul was writing to the Jewish community in Rome. His concern for his fellow Jews is manifest in Chapters nine and ten. But Romans goes beyond that. Many great theologians have written commentaries on this letter. It represents the maturity of Paul's preaching and theological reflection, and is, in itself, a majestic document. There will be more to say, but just the first two sentences in today's first scripture represent a summation of Paul's message and his position as an apostle. They are almost Christian faith in a nutshell! AMEN
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