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

Brothers and Sisters:

Since we have been justified by faith, 

     we have peace with God 

     through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hope does not disappoint, 

     because the love of God has been poured out 

     into our hearts through the holy Spirit 

     that has been given to us.  

For Christ, while we were still helpless, 

     yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty 

     does one die for a just person, 

     though perhaps for a good person 

     one might even find courage to die.  

But God proves his love for us 

     in that while we were still sinners 

     Christ died for us.  

How much more then, 

     since we are now justified by his blood, 

     will we be saved through him from the wrath.  

Indeed, if, while we were enemies, 

     we were reconciled to God 

     through the death of his Son, 

     how much more, once reconciled, 

     will we be saved by his life.  

Not only that, but we also boast of God 

     through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

     through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The Word of the Lord