We believe in Jesus Christ
Starting today and for the next four weeks, we shall listen to Paul’s letter to the Romans. Today, he presents himself as the Lord’s apostle, especially for the gentiles, and then, he goes straight to the heart of the message he has to proclaim: that Jesus Christ is the son of David and our Risen Savior.
Jesus reprimands the Jews for not believing unless they see spectacular signs. But Christ proclaims that faith consists in trust in the word and in the person of the one who is sent. The early Christian community specified further: faith rests in confidence in the Risen Christ. The preeminent sign is Jesus Christ himself. We believe not because of this or that wonder or proof, but because Jesus makes God visible to us.
Reading: Romans 1:1-7
I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God’s words and acts. I write this letter to all the believers in Rome, God’s friends.
The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God’s Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! And I greet you now with all the generosity of God our Father and our Master Jesus, the Messiah.
Gospel: Luke 11:29-32
As the crowd swelled, he took a fresh tack: “The mood of this age is all wrong. Everybody’s looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you’re looking for is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. But the only proof you’re going to get is the Jonah-proof given to the Ninevites, which looks like no proof at all. What Jonah was to Nineveh, the Son of Man is to this age.
“On Judgment Day the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that condemns this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’
Prayer
Lord God, our Father,
we too wish at times, we could see signs
that brace our hesitant faith.
Give us a faith that is strong enough
not to ask for wonders and proofs
but simply to trust in you
and in your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Deepen this faith and make it
the very foundation of the whole of our life.
We ask you this through Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.
