Readings for 2026-06-19 • Fast & Pray

St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 7:12-25

Context

The Apostle Paul has been explaining the relationship between the Mosaic Law and sin. He established that the Law itself is holy and good, not the cause of sin, but rather reveals sin's true nature by defining what is wrong. Paul introduced the concept that the Law, though spiritual and righteous, cannot deliver people from sin's power because of human weakness. He described how the commandment, intended to bring life, actually exposed his sinfulness and led to spiritual death because sin used the Law's prohibitions to provoke rebellion. Now Paul transitions to explaining the internal struggle between knowing God's Law and being unable to consistently obey it due to sin dwelling within human nature. Paul is addressing the Christian community in Rome, including both Jewish and Gentile believers.

[12] Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. [13] Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. [16] If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. [17] But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. [19] For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. [20] Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [21] I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. [22] For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Matthew 12:15-21

Open source text

Context

Jesus has just healed a man with a withered hand in a synagogue on the Sabbath, prompting the Pharisees to conspire about how they might destroy him. Aware of their hostile intentions, Jesus withdraws from that place, and large crowds follow him. He heals all who are sick among them but sternly warns them not to make him known publicly. This withdrawal and his instruction for silence reflect his ongoing ministry strategy of avoiding premature confrontation with religious authorities while continuing to demonstrate compassion and divine power. Matthew presents this moment as a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy about God's chosen servant who would bring justice to the nations through gentleness rather than force, not breaking a bruised reed or snuffing out a smoldering wick until he leads justice to victory.

[15] But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. [16] Yet He warned them not to make Him known, [17] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: [18] “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. [19] He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. [20] A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; [21] And in His name Gentiles will trust.”