Romans 15: 14-21
I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Nevertheless on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ. Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Fearless Servants of the Gospel
Paul ends today’s reading with Isaiah’s words:“So shall he startle many nations; kings shall stand speechless. Those who have never been told shall see; those who have never heard shall understand.” (Is 52:15)
Isaiah foresaw the Servant who suffers for God’s mission and is exalted. Israel was called to be that Servant. When Israel faltered, Paul carried that mission through the Roman empire—freeing hearts and proclaiming Christ. Now, that same mission is ours.
In baptism we were anointed priest, prophet, and king, not symbolically, but for a purpose. And the call is urgent. Many still have not met the Good News through us: the poor, the jobless, immigrant families seeking safety, all who feel far from God. Meanwhile, modern “kings” hunger for power, spreading division and fear. We are not sent to echo them, but to startle the nations—not with force or outrage, but with mercy, truth, and the only lasting power: Jesus Christ and his Gospel.
This mission will cost us. True discipleship means sacrifice, of comfort, security, even reputation. Yet there is no greater joy than to spend our lives for Christ. Those who share his suffering will share his glory, now in part, fully in eternity.
Lord, make us bold, faithful, and fearless servants of your Gospel.
—Fr. Phil Cooke, SJ, is a member of the Midwest Jesuits and is Pastor at St. Isaac Jogue’s Parish in Rapid City, SD.
Prayer
O Creator God, thank you for the grace of our baptism? Send your Holy Spirit to give us the courage of your Son, Jesus Christ, to let you work through us and proclaim your truth to those who abuse power and to set all the captives free.
—Fr. Phil Cooke, SJ
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.