+Paul, in this section of his letter to the Romans, gives one of the finest explanations of sin as he describes its power, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.”
And he speaks of this as a power that is “in our flesh.”
Yet, he also speaks of the power of grace that works in us through our faith in Jesus Christ.
He calls us, therefore, to remain focused on Christ and to seek always in mind and heart to follow the law of the Lord.
Psalm 119 responds to the first reading as it cries out loudly and clearly to the Lord, “Teach me your statutes.”
And the more that we seek to know God’s law of the spirit as superior to the law of the flesh — where sin sits in us and so easily distracts, influences, guides, and causes us do the evil we do not want to do — that power of grace can lead us to the good and to do the good.
Paul makes his case for placing all of his trust and faith in Jesus the Lord; he clearly names the struggle between body and spirit.
He almost cries out in pain as he asks how he can be rescued from the power of sin, “Who will deliver me from this mortal body?”
And his answer is swift and direct, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ the Lord.”
But is it really that simple? Stop and think!
How often does a silly word, thought or desire overtake us even in our better or best moments?
We are doing so well; then suddenly, we blow it.
We get upset. We lose it. We retaliate.
We think the worst. We say the mean reply.
We cannot or will not forgive. We want revenge.
The list goes on and on. We can be doing good, good, good, good, good — then boom! It all falls apart.
How can we explain it? What happens?
“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do” — oh! The power of sin! Yikes!
+ And Jesus minces no words as he describes the hypocritical ways of those to whom he is preaching.
They can read the weather signs but cannot see the signs of God before their very eyes.
Everything Jesus was saying and doing was very messianic, and was a sign that God was truly in their midst.
But they could not or would not see it.
And he urged them through another example to settle affairs with their opponents, lest they lose it all and end up in jail again. The messianic times proclaimed that, “justice and peace shall kiss.”
Is that so? Is that what was happening in Jesus the Christ?
Was God truly showing his face in the face of his Son? Was this the time and place where it was really happening?
Was sin being conquered by grace? Was death losing its grip over life?
Was humanity being saved even from themselves?
Was spirit coming alive in flesh, and leading one to know and to do the good?
Was the law of God the law of love?
If so, the psalmist is right again, “Lord, teach me your statues … for through them you give me life!”
Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.
