Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 479

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a spirit of adoption,
through which we cry, "Abba, Father!"
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.

In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul combines several of his most important insights into a brilliant theme that will always stagger preachers and theologians. First, there is his insistent contrast between life by the Law of Moses and Life in the Spirit of Jesus. Secondly, he introduces his teaching about adoption; that gentiles are adopted into God's chosen people although they are not direct descendants of Abraham. And finally, we Christians --Jews and gentiles alike -- must suffer with the Lord if we would be glorified with him.

The Old Testament celebrates God's gift of the Law to his beloved people. If they do not observe it well, it is nonetheless their greatest boast, and justly so. God's people, be they Jew, Christian, or Muslim, must be grateful that the One who created the Universe by a single word of command, speaks to us. We are set apart and called his own. We know we are not chosen for our intelligence, wealth, good looks, or military strength. If we must explain our election, we can only say we are descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

The Word of God has come to us as a gift of wisdom, a moral guide through life's innumerable challenges, and an assured formula for correct and appropriate worship of the Creator and Lord of the Universe. The Mosaic Law also contains dietary advice and restrictions to guide the omnivore who would please God under every circumstance. The Chosen People can be sure of God's pleasure so long as they live by the Law. Finally, the Law informs them when their behavior has displeased the Lord; it pierces their persistent excuses and denials, and demands atonement. We are grateful for God's reproof; he does not simply abandon us in our sins and to our doom. 

Saint Paul adds to this eighth chapter his vision of gentiles grafted onto Abraham's line with full status in his family, through Jesus. That is, we are adopted, as Saint John will say, "through water, blood, and spirit." If Paul did not expect the gentiles to become the majority of Christians, he did expect this mingled people would forget their differences as they melded into the Body of Christ. By his sacrificial death, the Lord has broken down the barrier that kept us apart! 

As God's beloved, adopted children we know him as Abba, and do not hesitate to call the LORD of Abraham, Father. Jesus himself gave us these words and we use them as he did, in our darkest moments. We call out to God like lost children crying for their dads to come find them. We delight in hearing him call us by name, and even when he might tease us out of our anxiety, calling us with silly names like worms and lice. 

And finally, the Apostle announces the purpose of God's people. They are not divinely favored pets, like some heroes of Greek mythology. They must prove to the world God's holiness and wisdom, and lure the nations into fascination with God so that they will want to know him also. We will do that by our willingness to serve others; and by our suffering gracefully every challenge that life raises against us. Paul would speak of his own trials as being crucified with him, and would boast of the wounds he suffered. 

Whew! All this and more is packed into Romans 8. We can spend a lifetime meditating on each sentence.