29th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 24th October 2023 — Rom 5,12.15.17-21; Lk 12,35-38
In the Shadow of Infinite Grace
In the first reading, Paul shows the difference between the disobedience of Adam and the obedience of Jesus. In highlighting the role of Jesus in our salvation from sin, Paul contrasts Adam and Jesus. Adam through disobedience brought sin and death into the world for all humans; Christ through obedience brought righteousness and life, thus granting salvation to all. The human disobedience is overshadowed by the divine human obedience of the Son of God. Thus, Adam stands for man’s condemnation and Christ for the ‘justification’ of the believer. No matter how great the sin, God’s grace is infinitely greater in nullifying the effects of Adam’s sin. Grace is God’s saving love, a free gift given to all in abundance. Jesus does not just ‘cover over’ our sins. He makes it possible for our hearts to be flooded with his Spirit effecting a real inner change and the possibility of replacing sin with goodness. But it is always Jesus’ work and never ours alone.
