Romans 6:19-23
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6
Luke 12:49-53
Summary
Romans Chapter 6:19-23
St Paul is speaking to all of us in the in human language, about the na-
ture of choice in our life. There are two basic choices, to follow the path
of sin, and be paid in the wages of sin, or to follow the path of God and
receive a gift of eternal life.
Reflection
This is an interesting start to the reading. St Paul makes the point very
clearly that for the Bible to speak to us, it has to be written in human
terms. Not because of the nature of our God, but because we are lim-
ited by our nature. This seems quite pertinent at this time in the Catholic faith
where we are changing the words of the mass. Getting the message in the cor-
rect human terms was part of the problem in 60 AD as well as in 2011 AD.
The central message, put so clearly by St
Paul, is the choice of our actions that we
have in the moment day to day. This
choice is stark in the letter, but may be
subtle in reality. Sin will lead to sin and
shame. Freeing ourselves from sin will
lead to sanctification and the gift of eternal
life.
Clearly the language is important, as St
Paul has warned us in the start of the
reading. Listening to the words there is an-
other stark distinction between the choices;
sin is paid work whereas righteousness will
garner a gift.