Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk

God does not play favorites. He judges each according to his works. Those who sin are sinners–whether they be Jews or Gentiles.

The “Letter to the Romans” is about salvation through faith. Faith is the willingness to accept God’s righteousness–to live the life of God.

Saint Paul was one of the great teachers of the apostolic church. He writes to the Romans so that they can get to know him before he comes to them.

We don’t have to earn God’s benevolence or work for it. We must only open ourselves to what God has in store for us. 

The day of the Lord is always near. It is an occasion for repentance and reform. It calls for responsiveness from the people. We need to be ready.

Today’s reading from Malachi first addresses the sinners who find serving God useless. Then God turns to those who trust in his name, and promises them his compassion.

The moral of Jonah’s story is that God is merciful–more merciful than we are. We do wrong to try to be more just than God.