The Holy Prophet Elisha (9th c. BC); Our Holy Father Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople (847)
Romans 4:4-12; Matthew 7:15-21
Apostles’ Fast
Read Romans 4:4-12
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today we reflect on the extreme generosity of God. Not only does He give us life, provide for us all the blessings needed to live and enjoy existence, but He also cares deeply that through righteousness we come into the fullness of life. St. Augustine says, “Paul was speaking here of the way wages are given. But God gave by grace, because he gave to sinners so that by faith they might live justly, that is, do good works. Thus the good works which we do after we have received grace are not to be attributed to us but rather to him who has justified us by his grace. For if God had wanted to give us our due reward, he would have given us the punishment due to sinners.” (On Romans 21,28).
The Lord shares with us His grace and justifies us through His Son, in order to elevate us into the fullness of life. How good is our God? So generous and loving, washes us, justifies us and gives us the grace to live rightly. Faith is the way we connect to Christ and receive his grace. This is the main point that St. Paul is stressing: Not by our own works, but by faith and grace are we saved through Jesus Christ as we become in Him what we were meant to be from the beginning.