In the closing verses of our first reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, we see his poetic agility. He has constructed in verses 33-36 a beautiful triadic formula. This is more than wonderful linguistics. Paul is summarizing not only the lines that went before, but he is also summarizing the entirety of his letter up to this point.
Paul has outlined in detail how many of his brother and sister Jews have rejected Jesus, and although Jesus is the Messiah, and he came to his own first, in their rejection of him the gospel has now been proclaimed to the Gentiles as well. This has been God’s plan from the beginning, that all might be saved and come to experience his love and intimacy.
Paul has come to realize and is sharing his great wonder at the riches, the wisdom, and the knowledge of God. “For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given him anything
that he may be repaid” (Romans 11:34-35). In these words, he echoes Job when Job asks God to explain why he had to suffer. Job does not get a direct answer from God but instead receives a brief glimpse of the wonder, glory, and vastness of God and is struck with awe and wonder.
God is so beyond us that we will never come to fully comprehend him, or fully understand his ways. Yet he loves us so much that he has come close to us by sending his Son. Jesus reveals to us that, all we have comes “from him” for he is our creator, “through him” all of humanity and creation has been redeemed, and “for him all things are” to be made right again. All of humanity and all of creation will be saved through God’s righteousness and justice.
This is good news for us this Monday morning. For it means that God has an answer, and he will bring about a greater good in all circumstances and in our suffering, we do not suffer alone. God has sent his Son to accompany and guide us. Even in our struggles, even when we don’t understand, God will provide a path, a way forward. May we continue to trust in Jesus, in his Father who cares and knows what is best for us, and so rest and abide in the love of the Holy Spirit as we take each step into this day and this week.
Photo: Each evening walk has been a wonder and joy experiencing the beauty of God’s creation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 