We read this week and for the next 4 weeks from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Paul’s most important letter. The letter isn’t easy to follow, but that shouldn’t stop us from reflecting on it. Paul preaches a gospel that reveals the power of God, and it’s meant for everyone, Jews and Greeks alike. “ There is no partiality with God.”

Paul describes the failure of the Gentiles who were able to know God through creation:

“Ever since the creation of the world,
his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity
have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made.” (Romans 1:16-25)

Jews and Gentiles alike were given the light of creation:                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.” (Psalm 19)

Like the Jews blind to the Law, the Gentiles failed to see God’s wisdom revealed in creation. Both fell into the darkness of a sinful world. 

Both are saved by a righteous God, a God whose love is revealed in righting what’s wrong, the wrong found in a sinful world. 

Paul describes a sinful world held in the grip of cosmic sin, which is like cancer that spreads beyond human control. Only God can break its hold. We cannot save ourselves or the world we live in. God’s power alone can save us and our world, even as God asks us to share in his saving work.

What is cosmic sin in today’s world? It’s racism that denies all are equal before God, consumerism that looks for heaven in things and human experiences, market capitalism that pursues economic goals unmindful of the poor.  Cosmic sin is war multiplying worldwide; it’s an arms race ending in destruction instead of security; it’s the plundering of creation.

The righteous  God rights the sinful world through Jesus Christ, who brings forgiveness and is a sign of God’s patience.