Results of Justification

A Reflection on the Second Reading for June 16th, 2019:
The Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity

Romans 5.1-5

Brothers and sisters: Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

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Wow! There is so much good news in this passage. Just reading this over and over again is like reciting a mantra for life. Justification, peace, grace, hope; boasting even in suffering! Paul can say this because he lived it and he delivers it to us as truth. The book of Romans is the most written about book in history. It is the exposition of the Christian faith, a pilgrim’s guide to the Resurrection Life.

"... I know that it is only if we accept through faith that God is with us in our suffering, that we will indeed endure, and with peace, and even joy."

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As I look at the line about suffering producing endurance, I know that it is only if we accept through faith that God is with us in our suffering, that we will indeed endure, and with peace, and even joy. To suffer and see no meaning in it, is to become hopeless, and that is death walking. Paul tells us to boast in suffering so that we can endure it and if we stay the course we will become people of character, full of hope, not in anyone or anything or even any promise, but in the Lord God Himself. Men and women of character are people for whom virtue is utmost.

Rather than adopting “values” which are changeable, virtues are immutable: Prudence, Justice, Courage and Temperance. Add to these the Biblical virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity and if you see these in a person not only by what they say, but by their actions, you know you have encountered a person of integrity, a person of character. I’m striving toward that every day.  Nobody said it would be easy.

​Judy Savoy

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