Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 30, 2023

Date: Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Scripture Text: Romans 10:9-18

Brothers and sisters: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us? Thus, faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s first reading is taken from Paul’s Letter to the Romans and deals with both the salvation won through Christ and our role in Christ’s ongoing salvific mission. Through Christ, we are saved, but we must believe in Christ, and we must share that good news with others through actions and words.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I confess with my words that Jesus is LORD? Do I believe this in my heart and mind? Do my words and actions bring Christ to others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us as our brother, and from among us, defeat sin and death through his selfless sacrifice upon the cross. We who call Jesus, Son of God, Lord, and who seek to live as his disciples know that He is “the Way and the Truth and the Life.” As we seek to follow in His footsteps on our journey home, send your Spirit to give us the courage to speak and act in Jesus’ name and spread the good news of salvation from You, through Christ, and in the Spirit. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.