Fide stas | Through faith

"That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe." - Romans 11:20

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, today's passage clearly shows us that God does not show partiality. Even though God chose Israel as his own nation he did not limit his love only towards them. God the Father sent his Son Jesus to save the entire humanity. God does not want even a single soul to be perished.

During the public ministry of Jesus, he showed his love towards gentiles by healing them and feeding them. Jesus was very open to all people. Jesus considered all as the children of the same Father. Many of the Jews rejected Jesus and at the same time many gentiles believed in him.

Apostle Paul,  during his ministry, spent most of the time along with the gentiles. Paul tried his level best to travel to gentile lands to spread the good news about Jesus. Many believed in Jesus through the works of Paul. Paul is reminding the gentiles that it is a great act of mercy from God that he included gentiles to his kingdom. Therefore the gentiles have no right to be proud about it but be thankful and grateful to God. Only through faith gentiles are saved. It is not by their own merits but by God's love and mercy for them.

In our lives let us try to be thankful to God for his great love and mercy for us. Let us remain humble. Just like Jesus let us try to include others too with more openness. Let us remain steadfast in our faith.

Reflection on Romans 11: 11-24 by Fr. George Joseph SVD