Trinity VII- Romans 6:19-23

The Gospel for this Sunday is from Mark 8:1-9, an account of the miraculous feeding of the four thousand. Christ's miraculous feedings can always remind us of His power and of the human need for both physical and spiritual nourishment. This time, however, I decided to focus on the traditional Epistle from Romans 6:19-23.

This selection continues the theme of Christian freedom that was emphasized in last Sunday's Epistle. Through Baptism, we have been united with Jesus Christ. We have died and risen with Him. Although fallen human beings are mired in uncleanness and sin, through the work and grace of our Lord, we have been given new life. By grace, we can now become "servants to righteousness" (Romans 6:19). Sin remains as long as we are in this world, but it no longer has to reign in the lives of believers. As Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."   

Because of Christ, there is the hope of deliverance from slavery to sin. This deliverance, rooted in divine grace, begins in this world as we are united with Christ through repentance, baptismal grace, and faith. We are freed from the domination of sin and given the grace to bear the fruits of holiness. We remain weak and imperfect sinners in this world, but we can start to change and produce good fruit. This is a gift of God, and it points us toward another gift of God- eternal life through Christ. Eternal life is life lived in fellowship with God through the grace of His Son. Eternal life begins in this world with a faithful response to grace, and it reaches its fullness in the world to come.

Trinity VI- Matthew 5:20; Romans 6:11

 On the Sixth Sunday after Trinity, the Gospel begins with Matthew 5:20: "Jesus said unto his disciples, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.'"  How can this be? The Pharisees were noted for their pursuit of legal righteousness. How can the disciples of Jesus even hope that their righteousness might exceed that of the Pharisees?

We see the answer in the following verses, Matthew 5:21-26. In these verses and throughout the Sermon on the Mount, it becomes clear that our Lord is talking about more than a mere external obedience to the commandments of divine Law. While obeying certain rules can help restrain evil and provide guidance for good behavior, external obedience is not sufficient. Following the rules is not enough because true righteousness involves inner attitudes. God wants us to turn from sin and be renewed inwardly in faith, hope, and love each day. And such repentance and renewal only come through divine grace manifest in Jesus Christ. 

In other words, Matthew 5 refers to the same spiritual renewal discussed in Romans 6:3-11. The only way for fallen human beings to be righteous is through union with Jesus Christ, a union which takes place through Baptism and Faith. This renewal begins with the grace of Christian Baptism, but in our fallen condition, we need new applications of grace until the end of our earthly pilgrimages. Many aspects of life and experience can be associated with renewal, but notably, it occurs through hearing and reading the Word, participating in the Lord's Supper, and constant prayer. Day by day and week by week, we must continue dying to sin and being "alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:.11) Only the righteousness that comes through living faith in Jesus Christ truly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees!

Trinity V- Luke 5:1-11

 The Gospel for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity is Luke's account of the call of some of the apostles (Luke 5:1-11). Several Galilean fishermen had a poor night of fishing, and Jesus guided them to a great catch.  Jesus uses this encounter to call the fishermen to follow Him. The great catch of fish becomes a call to catch people for the kingdom of God. It is a call for commitment and a challenge to have faith..

The miraculous catch of fish still applies to us. It reminds us that Jesus Christ is the holy Lord of creation who still works in amazing and surprising ways. The miracle is a call to discipleship and  the ministry of gathering people for the kingdom of God. We have a vocation to follow Jesus in all things and to share in His mission of seeking people for God's kingdom. The specifics vary according to our personal situations and talents, but all of us are asked to contribute to Christ's mission. Like those Galilean fishermen, despite our fears and hesitations, let us respond in faith.