The Holy Martyr Lucillianus and those with him.
Apostle’s Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.
Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 7:21-23.
Read Romans 4:13-25
In Romans 4:13–25, Saint Paul presents Abraham as the great example of faith. Abraham received God’s promise long before there was visible evidence that it could happen. Humanly speaking, the situation seemed impossible: he and Sarah were advanced in age, and yet God promised descendants as numerous as the stars. Still, Abraham trusted. This is why Paul says that Abraham “believed with a hope beyond hope.” In other words, even when ordinary human hope had disappeared, Abraham continued to hope because his trust was placed not in human ability, but in God’s power and faithfulness.
This passage is deeply important for us because faith often begins precisely where certainty ends. There are moments in life when circumstances seem hopeless — struggles in family life, illness, fears about the future, spiritual dryness, or unanswered prayers. Abraham teaches us that faith is not pretending difficulties do not exist. Paul clearly says Abraham recognized the reality of his old age and Sarah’s barrenness. Yet he did not allow visible circumstances to become greater than God’s promise. True faith looks beyond what is immediately visible and trusts that God remains faithful even when we cannot yet see the outcome.
Paul also repeatedly uses the word “reputed” saying that Abraham’s faith “was reputed to him as righteousness.” This does not mean Abraham earned salvation like a payment or reward. Rather, it means that because Abraham trusted God wholeheartedly, God counted or recognized that faith as righteousness. Abraham entered into a right relationship with God through faith. The emphasis is not on human achievement, but on trust in God.
For Christians, this passage points ultimately to Jesus Christ. Paul says these words were written not only for Abraham, but also for us, “who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Just as Abraham trusted in the God who gives life where there seemed to be none, we believe in the God who raised Christ from the dead. The resurrection becomes the ultimate foundation of our hope beyond hope.