The Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus (284-305)
Romans 7:14-8:2; Matthew 10:9-15
Apostles’ Fast.
Read Romans 7:14-8:2
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Anyone who tries to keep the commandments of the Lord will recognize that within us there seems to be some sort of internal resistance working to prevent us from doing so. St. Paul himself recognized this struggle. This is a struggle that we all have because of our fallen and broken human nature. We need to be healed and elevated above our broken condition. St. Augustine says, “The law can only be fulfilled by spiritual men, and these only the grace of God can produce. For the man who has been made spiritual like the law will easily do what it commands. He will not be under the law but at one with it. He will also be someone who is not ensnared by temporal goods or frightened by temporal evils.” (ON ROMANS 41.7). This is why St. Paul says, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Jesus is the answer to this internal struggle for he is the way and our source of healing. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are able to die to sin and rise to God.