The Holy Priest-Martyr Athenogenes and His Ten Disciples (284-305)
Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 9:18-26
Read Romans 9:1-5
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
In our reading today we see St. Paul really open up about the difficulties he faced from his own people, the Jews, and his turmoil in proclaiming the Risen Lord and the universal gospel of Christ to all nations. He wishes that he could even be cursed if it meant brining his fellow countrymen to faith. At the same time, he illustrates that the New Covenant does not negate or do away with the Old, but in fact fulfils and deepens it.
St. John Chrysostom writes:
If Paul was willing to become accursed so that others might believe, he ought to have wished it for the sake of the Gentiles as well. But as he wishes it only for the sake of the Jews, it is proof that he did not wish it for Christ’s sake, but because of his relationship to them. If he had prayed only for the Gentiles, this would not have been so clear. As it is only for the Jews though, it is clear proof that he is only as earnest as this because he wants to see Christ glorified in them. Paul was cut to the heart when he realised the extent to which the Jews had blasphemed God and because he was concerned for God’s glory. He wished that he were accursed, if possible, so that they might be saved, their blasphemy might be brought to an end, and God himself might be vindicated from any charge that he might have deceived the offspring of those to whom he had promised gifts. (Homilies on Romans 16)