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.
As we enter Saint Paul's major opus, the Letter to the Romans, I can't help but notice his preferred title, "a slave of Christ Jesus." The Douay-Rheims Translation, (which was the Catholic Bible until the mid-70's), and the King James Version, preferred the more palatable word, "a servant of Christ Jesus." But Saint Paul knew about slavery, the majority of those who lived under the Roman empire were slaves. The system was not half as savage as the American form of slavery but the less fortunate were not citizens. When the Apostle chose to describe his relationship to the Lord he could think of no more apt title, and nothing more delightful, than slave of Christ Jesus.
As he introduces himself to the Romans he adds to the word slave his particular calling, "set apart for the Gospel of God;" and then he goes on to describe this new usage of the old Greek word, evangelium. This good news was not just fresh fish in the marketplace, a military victory, or the emperor's decree of a holiday. This Good News concerned the Lord God who was born of a woman, died as a man, and raised up like the Son of God; a savior, redeemer, healer, and deliverer of everyone who accepts his Holy Spirit.
Saint Paul knew himself as a servant and administrator of the mysteries of God. He knew where he was and to whom he belonged and what he must do every day of his life.
His self-assurance might amaze lost souls of the twenty-first century who know themselves only as consumers, debtors, and -- if their employed -- fortunate despite their uncertain future. Hammered continually by loud, demanding marketers, seduced by exciting promises which only disappointment, they are haunted by the persistent question, "Why should I not kill myself?" Only the noise can drive it away.
Many turn to the Bible for consolation and find their place with Saint Paul in a history that reaches into the prehistoric era of Abraham and Sarah. Catholics find their place within Saint Paul's congregation, united through the Eucharist to the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord. Our past remembers beyond the pandemic, or the present epidemics of gun violence, drug abuse, and suicide.
We remember both when the Catholic Church and its faithful were persecuted, and when we were welcomed. We look forward to an age when people will be judged with mercy and justice; when there will be neither, war, pestilence, nor famine; when politics will be driven by God's preference for the least among us. If no one expects to see that day in their own lifetime, it is nonetheless real and assured.
Saint Paul operated with that kind of assurance. His calm, peaceable manner was maddening to those who scoffed at his teachings and challenged his preaching. They might have said, "That's just your opinion in a universe of opinions!"
His response was always the invitation to know, trust, and believe in the Lord as he did -- as you and I do these many centuries later.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.