Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 30, 2024

Date: Feast of St. Andrew (Last day of Ordinary Time)

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:

This excerpt from Paul’s Letter to the Romans powerfully proclaims the power of Jesus Christ; if we confess Christ with our mouth and believe in our heart He is our risen LORD, we will be saved and we will not be put to shame. But then this excerpt also powerfully proclaims our role in Christ’s ongoing salvific mission. How can they hear and come to believe if no one is speaking, if no one is modeling Christ?

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Have I opened my mind heart to Jesus Christ truly? Do I proclaim my Lord Jesus Christ’s salvation to others? Do I model to others a life directed by Christ and His love?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, at our creation, You desire that we will be true vessels of your great love for us and that we will love You with our whole being and love our sisters and brothers for we share You, our heavenly Father. You sent your only begotten Son into the world as our brother to reveal You and your love to us through His words and actions. He gave his life selflessly upon the cross of Calvary or our salvation and You raised Him in the Spirit on the third day. Send your Spirit to open my mind and heart more fully to You and to your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that I may be a true apostle, proclaiming your love and salvation through Jesus Christ. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.