"Faith Comes... Through the Word of Christ."

It is a glorious fall morning.  The sky is clear, the air bites a little, the sun is warm, the leaves remaining on the trees are a myriad of colours, and the leaves on the ground smell of a rich rot.  Before the sun rose, the stars were like gems in the still frosty air.  May gratitude be the foundation of my thoughts words and actions as I pray and meditate on the words of St Paul.


Romans 10:14-17
14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ ¹⁶But not all have obeyed the good news;^* for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ ¹⁷So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.^*


1) "they;" "...how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news;" "...who has believed our message;" "...our;"


2) Who is "they"?  It changes in the middle of verse 15 from the "recipients" of the news to the carriers of the news (the ones "sent").  All the previous argument about salvation through faith, not works is now turned on those who are called to carry the word.  Hmm... If we do not carry the word with integrity, "how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?"  Proclamation isn't just through our words, but through how we treat one another.  Our actions are what inspire others to "believe."  If we lack compassion, empathy, patience, tolerance, charity, How can we claim to have been "sent"?  Our feet are only beautiful if we walk the way we are called to walk.  We may be saved by faith, not works, but hands and feet are called to follow closely.  "Don't be a jerk about it" indeed.  "So faith comes from what is heard [witnessed?], and what is heard [witnessed?] comes through the word of Christ.  If we claim to proclaim, then we are the models of Christ.  If people do not witness Christ when in our presence, that is on our heads.  Belief isn't just about words, but about how we are in the world.


3) What is the invitation in all this?  What is the expression, proclaim Christ everywhere you go and when you must, use words.


"Holy One, make us worthy of your word."


Breathprayer: "Faith comes... through the word of Christ"