The Holy Great-Martyr Procopius (303)
Romans 16:1-16; Matthew 13:3-9
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Romans 16:1-16
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans includes most of the letter’s last chapter. In it, he commends the deaconess Phoebe and sends his greetings to a large number of faithful that he knows in the Church of Rome. However, recall that in the opening chapter of this letter, Paul admits he often planned to come visit the Church of Rome but was never able to (Rom. 1:9-13). By showing how many people he knows from among them, Paul was able to demonstrate that he and his message were trustworthy.
Before listing any other name, Paul first commends the deaconess Phoebe. To express her exalted status and dignity, he fondly calls her “sister.” As St. John Chrysostom points out: “it is no slight thing to be called the sister of Paul” (Homily XXX on Romans XV). Paul asks the Romans to “receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you” (Rom. 16:2). This may remind us of the words of our Lord: “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Mt. 10:40-42).
As Christians, we need to remember that “if someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 Jn. 4:20). By welcoming and showing mercy to others, we can express our love for God. Paul exhorts the Church of Rome to receive Phoebe. By receiving her, they not only support her as an individual but also contribute towards the good work she does in her ministry for Christ.