Today’s Readings – Friday of week 29 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Rom 7:18-25

Paul today describes an experience which all of us have had. He senses the tendencies to wrongdoing in himself which are at variance with a desire to do what is good and right. As Jesus said of his disciples during the Passion, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Paul is speaking of someone still under the empire of sin and not yet justified by Christ’s grace, whereas in chap. 8 he speaks in the name of the justified Christian with the gift of the Spirit who, nevertheless, is still aware of an inward struggle while on earth. So the person who does not yet experience the justifying grace of God recognises a rift between his rational desire for the goodness proposed by the law and his actual performance contrary to the law. There i … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Thursday of week 29 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Rom 6:19-23

Today’s reading is an immediate continuation of yesterday’s and more or less repeats what was said then. Paul continues today the imagery of slavery and urges the Romans to switch from one kind to another. He knows how morally weak … Continue