Our Holy Father Metrophanes, Patriarch of Constantinople (312-37).
Apostles’ Fast.
Romans 7:14-8:2. Matthew 10:9-15.
Read Romans 7:14-8:2
I believe we can all relate with Saint Paul in this morning’s epistle to the Romans. We all want to do good, and yet we are often pulled away by evil. Paul’s words resonate deeply with our own experiences of the inner conflict between our desire to follow God’s will and the reality of our human weakness. This struggle is not unique to any one of us; it is a universal aspect of the Christian journey.
Saint Paul openly admits his frustrations and feelings of helplessness: “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” This raw honesty encourages us to acknowledge our own struggles without shame. It reminds us that even the great Apostle to the Gentiles faced the same battles we do. This shared experience fosters a sense of solidarity among us as believers, knowing that we are not alone in our fight against sin.
Yet, Paul does not leave us in despair. He points us toward the solution: reliance on the grace of God. He exclaims, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Here lies the heart of Paul’s message and our hope. We cannot overcome sin through our own strength or sheer willpower. It is through Jesus Christ that we find deliverance.
A crucial way we access this grace is through the Holy Mystery of Confession. Regularly going to confession revives the graces from God, strengthening us in our battle against habitual sin. This sacrament is a profound encounter with God’s mercy, providing us with the forgiveness and strength we need to overcome our weaknesses. By confessing our sins and receiving absolution, we are continually renewed and fortified by God’s grace.
Let us, therefore, approach our struggles with humility and faith, trusting in God’s grace to sustain us. In our daily lives, may we continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the graces of confession, remembering that our victory over sin is found in Christ alone. Through Him, we are no longer condemned to a life of slavery to sin but set free to live in the newness of life He offers.