Not Ashamed of the Gospel (June 25: Part 2)

The Word of the Day is "ashamed."  In this era of cynicism, we may be inclined to suppress our testimony to our faith due to the fear of being misunderstood or ridiculed. However, if we find ourselves facing such a temptation, we should take heed of St. Paul's words in our reading of Romans 1:1-7; 13-17. St. Paul commences his epistle with a resolute declaration, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel" (OSB vs. 16). Today, as we delve into Part 2 of our reading of Romans for Tuesday, June 25, we encounter the content of the epistle. We begin with the profound insight that when the Gospel is proclaimed boldly, it carries immense power. Conversely, if it is preached in conformity to the world, it loses its strength.

Glorying in the Gospel

St. Paul's letter to the Romans is the nearest thing to a theological treatise in the scriptures. In this epistle, St. Paul plunges into the depths of the nature of sin and ascends to the heights of the Gospel of salvation. He speaks forcefully of  Law and Gospel, sin and grace, faith and works, flesh and Spirit, and discord and unity in Christ. But in the whole fabric of this crowning work of his career, St. Paul weaves a thread of soaring hope and faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, after he introduces himself, he begins boldly:  "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel…" (Romans 1:16).

In Greek, the term translated as "ashamed" has a sense of dishonor, even humiliation. (Strongs #1870). Accordingly, Paul insists that the Gospel does not disgrace him, nor is he embarrassed to be its apostle. Instead, he glories in the Cross of Christ that the Gospel proclaims (Galatians 6:14). Why does St. Paul begin his letter in this way? Why does one become ashamed of the Gospel? 

The Folly of This World and the Wisdom of God

St. Paul recognizes something that we who live in a society of religious toleration and indifference might forget. He puts it bluntly in 1 Corinthians:  "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). This stark contrast is crucial to the witness to Christ. We must understand the absolute difference between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. If we try to accommodate the wisdom of the Gospel of salvation to the wisdom of this world, our hearers will see it as folly. And ultimately, we will feel disgraced by it as if one must be a fool to believe it. But if we hear and believe the Gospel in its spiritual terms, it will be the power of God to save us and to reach the hearts of those who hear our testimony.

For Reflection

Chrysostom warns, "There is nothing worse than that man should measure and judge of divine things by human reasoning" (NfPf1:13, 479). The great preacher says that heresies flow from attempts to apply human thinking to the divine will and works of God. We might add that when the Gospel is preached in terms that conform to human ways of thinking, it loses its power.

The casual Christianity that is so prevalent these days is a prime example of this powerlessness. Preaching that strives to conform to the world's standards does not convict, and hearing without conviction does not bring about a change of heart.

In today's reading, St. Paul announces that he is about to proclaim the Gospel in the boldest, most daring, and most forceful way. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to grant us wisdom from above to hear and believe what he is about to say. And let us pray that our hearing of the Gospel and the testimony of our faith will also be without shame or reservation.