The word for the day is “called.” As we go about our daily life, our attention often must be given to the details of our work. But whatever we do, we have a calling. That vocation is not separated from our daily chores. It gives them meaning. In today’s reading of 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Paul speaks of his calling and his readers. He states, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ…” (OSB vs. 1) and again “To the church of God, which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be saints…” (OSB 1:2). Today our study will remind us of the summons of God to serve Him with the little as well as big things that…
The word of the day is “simple.” In this world, some things are obviously wicked. But the unrighteousness of other things is not so easily identified. Evil comes in attractive packages and desirable wrappings. Vices are mixed with virtues, and goodness is mingled with immorality. In our reading of Romans 16:17-24, St. Paul concludes his letter with a warning about divisions caused by troublemakers. He charges that they use “smooth words and flattering speech to deceive the simple” (Romans 16:18). Thus, St. Paul cautions that his readers should be “wise in what is good and simple concerning evil” (Romans 16:19). Today we will learn not look underneath its covering to determine if something is good or bad. We will propose…
The word of the day is “only.” Tribalism is found throughout human society. Humans favor their own group however they define it, and they distinguish themselves from other such groupings. Thus, it seems natural to believe that the scope of God’s concern is limited to one’s own circle. However, in Romans 3:28-4:3, we hear an important question, “Is He the God of the Jews only?” (Romans 3:29). Paul answers in Romans following today’s read, proclaiming whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Today we reflect on Paul’s reasoning that salvation must be by faith if it is to be offered to all. We will find that this thinking requires that the church and its members…
The word of the day is “Father.” In the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, the priest introduces the Lord’s Prayer with a statement that echoes today’s reading of Romans 8:14-21. He exclaims, “And make us worthy, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may call on Thee, the heavenly God, as Father and to say…” (St-Tikhon’s 1984). In today’s reading, Paul explains, “But you received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry out ‘Abba, Father’” (St-Tikhon’s 1984, 75). How is it that we dare to call on the Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, as “Father”? Today we will find the reasons for the way we address God. We will find these justifications in Jesus’ teaching and the…
The word of the day is “fellow.” We might get the impression that all the human credit for Paul’s work among the Gentiles was his alone. Likewise, when we think of the lives of the saints, we do not consider those with whom they lived and worked. But today in our reading of Romans 16:1-16 we find that St. Paul closes his letter with the greeting of a surprising number of associates and friends. If we take the beginnings and endings of Paul’s letters into account, we find that he labored with a large network of fellow helpers and supporters. In fact, he was the head of a missionary team of faithful leaders and helpers. Today we will talk about…
The word of the day is “shall.” Often, changing circumstances get in the way of the fulfillment of our intentions. When that happens, we find that we are not in control of the course of our lives. In our reading of Romans 15:17-29, Paul reveals his ambitious plans for his outreach to the Gentiles. He writes, “Whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you” (OSB vs. 24). Today we will find that Paul’s life did not turn out as he had projected. The apostle did get to Rome, but he arrived as a prisoner. And from an historic perspective,…
Suffering Unexplained but Transformed (Fri. June 30) The word of the day is “unsearchable.” How can we explain the suffering of the world? How can we understand why a good and Almighty God permit evil to run rampant on the earth? In today’s reading of Romans 11:25-36, Paul asserts that God’s reasons are far above human comprehension. He writes, “How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (OSB vs. 33). Today we reflect on what we do not know nor understand about God’s purposes. We will find that instead of reasons for our trials, the God of love gives us consolation and strength to endure. Today in our reading of Romans 11:25-36, St. Paul concludes his long…
The word of the day is “jealousy.” We have the Gospel of salvation. We are members of the church. We know the grace of God. These affirmations are the ground on which the weeds of pride can grow. By thinking that we possess these things, we might be tempted to glory in the supposition that the Almighty God has shifted his favor to us. And we might suppose that those who do not have the Gospel, are not members of the church, and do not know God’s grace are left out for all eternity. In our reading of Romans 11:2-12, Paul explains that God has willed unbelief to the Jews and granted belief to the Gentiles for a larger reason.…
The word of the day is “proclamation.” Those who have spent their lives in the church have heard so many sermons, both inspired and uninspired, that they no longer expect to be stirred by any preacher. Yet in our reading of Romans 10:11-11:2, we find a provocative statement: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the end of the universe” (Romans 10:18). This declaration of the power of preaching applies to the witness of the apostles (OSB footnote on Psalm 19:4). And so, in the Orthodox Church we hear this hymn on Pentecost, on the Feast of SS Peter and Paul, and on the “Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles.” Today we ask whether…
The word of the day is “irony.” Many preachers today give the impression that they know all about God’s designs for human history. By selective quotations from the scripture, they offer their own keys to the ways of God. Today, in our reading of Romans 9:18-33, we read Paul’s rebuttal of all claims to grasp how God fulfills His purposes in the course of human history. Paul writes, “What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness (NKJV vs. 30-31). Today we reflect on the irony of God’s treatment of Jews and Gentiles. We will…