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Meditation Two Hundred Seventy One

The Second Week of May 2008  

Universal Sin

 Begin with prayer to the Holy Spirit 

 

Readings : Romans 1:19-32 

 

     St. Paul has written in verse eighteen that an aspect of God's just character is wrath. Now Paul reveals for whom this wrath is intended for. Upon reading this chapter we see clearly that no one seems to escape the need for God's grace and salvation. Paul bears this out in writing to the Romans that "All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23 )  Placing the emphasis on the word all in this verse it is clear that God is just and fair in his pronouncement of universal sin. The psalmist David emphasizes this when he writes, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me." The Lord as we know him shows no partiality unlike many other religions, gods, and self-proclaimed prophets and holy persons. Our Lord has provided a clear path of deliverance, justification, regeneration, and of course, salvation. The Lord is consistent in his lack of showing partiality. It works both ways: in the pronouncement of guilt upon all mankind through Adam and Eve and in the dispensing of grace and faith by bringing man into close relationship with Himself.  

 

     St. Peter in the house of Cornelius, a gentile who was seeking God and Peter says to him, "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him." (Acts 10:34-35)  Although there is universal sin and wrath is a payment for ungodliness there is the grace of God which abounds to supersede the need for God's wrath in the lives of those who accept Him and worship Him. Upon reading further into this chapter there appears to be a progression of depravity in those who decide not to acknowledge the true God of creation. Paul says that man has rebelled in such a way that the things that God has created have been adopted as deities. Man has developed forms of idols from God's creation for worship to replace the true God.  It reminds me of what St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "A little leaven leavens the whole loaf." 1Cor. 5b Paul says that this false worship that has become a form of personal worship to false gods has now progressed into normative practice and is approved of by society. "Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them." (Rom 1:32 )

 

     Today we live in a world where approval of the masses is what many people use as a standard for what is good. Although God has prepared a place for the godly and ungodly it is never his intention for man to set up his own standard of behavior and belief. Acknowledging God and serving Him is the primary objective, yet many make poor choices and choose false deities to worship instead of God. I think it is our position as Oratorians to pray for these people and share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.

                                                                                                       

Quotation for Meditation

 

Come, follow Me in your daily life. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Me you will find the most important knowledge of life, and the only the only sure way to eternal happiness. Learn My Truth and follow My example in your daily life, and your reward will be greater than words can ever express. Meditate often upon My earthly life. As far as you know how, imitate Me in your daily activities. With Me you will have peace and a daily progress toward Heaven's eternal joy. 

 

Anthony J. Paone, S.J., My Daily Bread, Brooklyn, N.Y., Confraternity OF The Blood Of Jesus, Pg. 224

Quiet Time and Then Discussion

 

Questions for Meditation

 

1. What does St. Paul have to say about those who do not believe that God is the creator of all things?

 

2. How are we all guilty before God?

 

3. Discuss how the grace of God is activated upon those who believe in Him,

    and what about those who choose not to believe.

Prayer