Grace for Transformation

Memorial of St. Callistus I, Pope and Martyr

Romans 1:1-7

Today we begin four weeks of reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans.  Our first reading is the introduction to that letter.  In this introduction, Paul uses several words that will be themes we want to remember:

• Christ—Jesus is the Anointed One of God and the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
• Grace—God loves us and cares for us.  Every good thing that we have, from our ministries to our salvation, is a gift from God.
• Obedience—When we follow God’s commandments and listen to the Holy Spirit, we allow God’s grace to live in us and work through us.
• Faith—Because we are sinners, we cannot save ourselves.  But when we confess our sins, change our lives and trust in God’s grace, we can be saved.

St. Paul experienced the grace of God.  It transformed him from a persecutor of the church into a missionary and apostle.  St. Callistus experienced the grace of God.  It transformed him from a convicted criminal into a deacon, a Pope and martyr.  We also experience the grace of God.  How will we be transformed?