Monday 16 October 2023

Today is Monday the 16th of October, in the 28th week of Ordinary time.

Today Salt of the Sound will guide us into a time of prayer through a portion of the hymn, ‘How Great Thou Art’. As you listen, notice which words capture you…


When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim: "My God, how great thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Saviour-God, to thee
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour-God, to thee
How great thou art! How great thou art!
How great thou art! How great thou art!

Today’s reading is from St Paul’s letter to the Romans.


Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Almost in one breath, at this, the beginning of his letter to the church in Rome, Paul masterfully summarises the gospel. Stay with the content. What stands out for you in this extensive opening sentence? What echoes?

Called. Called to be an apostle. Called to belong to Jesus Christ. Called to be saints. Do you feel called? What does it feel like to be called simply “to belong to Jesus Christ?”


The apostle Paul had a great calling. Your calling might be great; it might be much smaller in human terms, yet it’s just as significant in God’s eyes. Each day has a calling. What is your calling for today?


Listen to the passage again. Who is at the centre of your calling? You? Or God?


As this prayer time comes to a close, you might want to speak with God about the whole notion of ‘calling’.


Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.