Second Sunday after Pentecost. Sunday of All Saints of Rus’-Ukraine. Octoechos Tone 1. Our Holy Father Nicephorus the Confessor (829).
Apostles’ Fast.
Romans 2:10-16. Romans 8:28-39. Matthew 4:18-23. Matthew 5:1-16.
Read Romans 2:10-16
Memory is a funny thing. In the absence of someone, we can still have a relationship with them in the sense of still acting out of the thoughts and feelings we experienced with them, even though they are not there now.
Our relationship with God can get like that. He is always there, but sometimes what seems more present to us are thoughts and feelings we have experienced that we think or have been told are in line with who God is. Yes, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” (Romans 1:18) but that doesn’t mean that all the things we think and feel about people and the world are of God. “You are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1) Yes, though we can “by nature do the things in the law”, if we are honest with ourselves, our consciences will accuse us as much as excuse us.
Today’s epistle reading reminds us that when we are dealing with God the Father we are dealing with a Person. If we put either the law or our consciences in the place of God, we will find ourselves having more of a relationship with things we think and feel – memory – rather than the Person who is really there right now.
Law and our consciences are not God. They are means – guides to the relationship we are having with a Person – not the Person Himself. “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (and) the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:1,5)