The Transfer of the Holy Relics of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tyro
Romans 2:28-3:18; Matthew 6:31-34; 7:9-11
Apostles’ Fast
Read Romans 2:28-3:18
There is a short humorous video that has been around for a while, a video that you have likely seen. It is of a small boy, Mateo, who is arguing with his mother whose name is Linda (see https://youtu.be/g5aBMtzJEIY). “Linda, listen! Listen, Linda!” He wants cupcakes and is saying everything and anything, including being illogical, to get them. In very much the same way, Paul’s Jewish disputant, to whom Paul is answering in today’s epistle, uses the same tactics, including being illogical.
He argues I am a Jew, I have the sign of the Covenant (circumcision). Pauls answers that with this privilege of being part of God’s Chosen People comes to a responsibility – they are to a blessing to all nations. The disputant argues that some of the Chosen People were unfaithful to the Covenant, but that God is always faithful; hence, His blessing must come upon them (and him). Paul argues that while God is faithful, He is also always true. The disputant argues that unfaithfulness then allows God to show His faithfulness and therefore God cannot bear His wrath on us. And Paul calls it for what it is – illogical. He compares this line of thinking to another illogical argument – doing evil to attain good.
An attitude of entitlement (privilege without responsibility) leads to the disputant trying to manipulate the ineffable attributes of God (His mercy, justice, faithfulness, etc.). Paul is making it clear that it is not the Lord who changes but it is we who must change. There are some who are baptized into the Death and Resurrection of Christ who believe that this is enough for salvation. It is not. Baptism is the first step into the life by which we partake of divine nature by His grace. Daily living our baptism is allowing those waters into which we were immersed to penetrate the heart, to allow the grace of our Lord’s salvific act to make us more like Him. Cupcakes are good, but salvation in Christ Jesus is the greatest good.