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Your words today, O Lord are difficult to comprehend; words like "righteousness" and "justification" are words we rarely use, terms our generation have forgotten; but, we are still deeply grateful to you in sending us these gems through the insightful writings of your great apostle Paul.
Brothers and sisters: Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faih in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:21-24
Though the language may be strange, its underlying realities of your grace which is your righteousness and love for us, O God our Father, remain so true as expressed by your Son Jesus Christ's self-sacrifice on the Cross for our salvation (justification).
Let the teachings of St. Paul sink into our hearts and minds that we are utterly dependent on you, O God, for our salvation; that nothing can we accomplish apart from your grace.
In a society where the self-made person is so idolized and economic status is the benchmark for success, help us to echo anew the teachings of St. Paul on grace and salvation in Jesus Christ; do not let us become like the Pharisees and scribes and scholars of the law who kept people away from your "vision" of grace and salvation for everyone.
“Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.”
Luke 11:52
Lord Jesus, bless us your priests and ministers to truly serve the people in leading them closer to you in our celebrations and prayers and most especially in our witnessing to your Gospel; may we cast away mediocrity and sloth, always seeking ways like St. Paul in making known your wonderful plans and vision for everyone, especially the weak and the poor among us. Amen.
