Holy Priest-Martyr Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata (379-80).
Apostles’ Fast.
Romans 8:14-21. Matthew 9:9-13.
Read Romans 8:14-21
Brothers and sisters, we are children of God, not slaves to sin. Through our baptism, the Exodus experience of liberation from slavery continues personally in our lives. We have the audacity not to refer to God as some Impersonal Overseer but as “Father.” This harkens back to Israel, God’s firstborn son being redeemed and rescued from slavery in Egypt. It is staggering to consider the amazing reality that the God of the universe, the Pre-eternal creator of all, can be called “Abba” by us in the Holy Spirit. This means the Lord is not disinterested in your wellbeing but has plans for you as a beloved son or daughter. Take some time today to deepen this relationship with your Heavenly Father by consciously rejecting the slavery of sin and returning to your loving Father.
St. Cyprian writes: If we are the sons of God, if we have already begun to be his temples, if (after receiving the Holy Spirit) we live holily and spiritually, if we have lifted up our eyes from the earth toward heaven, if we have raised our hearts, full of God and Christ, to supernal and divine things, let us do nothing which is not worthy of God and Christ, as the apostle arouses and urges us. (Jealousy and Envy 14.66)