NEW TESTAMENT (Second Reading)

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans

Brothers and Sisters:

Those who are led by the Spirit of God 

     are children of God.  

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery 

     to fall back into fear, 

     but you received a spirit of adoption, 

     through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”  

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit 

     that we are children of God, and if children, 

     then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, 

     if only we suffer with him 

     so that we may also be glorified with him. 

I consider that the sufferings of this present time 

     are as nothing compared with the glory 

     to be revealed for us.

For creation awaits with eager expectation 

     the revelation of the children of God; 

     for creation was made subject to futility, 

     not of its own accord 

     but because of the one who subjected it, 

     in hope that creation itself would be set free 

     from slavery to corruption and share in 

     the glorious freedom of the children of God. 

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains

     even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, 

     who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, 

     we also groan within ourselves 

     as we wait for adoption, 

     the redemption of our bodies.

The Word of the Lord