The Holy Priest-Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra (284-305)
Romans 1:1-7, 13-17; Matthew 4:25-5:13
Read Romans 1:1-7, 13-17
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
As we begin this Pentecost week we start reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. We are greeted with an encouragement which is not only intended for the Roman community, but God intended for all who read St. Paul’s words: “To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints…” Are we not all God’s beloved? Does God not have a special plan for each human being? Yes, this is true, but to actually come to know this reality we must respond to the One who loved us first (1 John 4:19). It is only then that we can know that we are beloved of God. This raises our human dignity and self-worth to a higher level than we can ever imagine. When we come to know this truth we also can know that the calling of those who are beloved of God is ‘to be saints’. We are called to be holy like God is holy. That can only be done because God desires to share His life with us through His Son and by the Power of the Holy Spirit. This is why it is only after the Feast of Pentecost that we renew ourselves in this possibility of sharing in the life of God and growing in God’s likeness—becoming saints. This was the calling of Christians in the first century and it continues today.