This Sunday, we begin reading from the second part of St Paul's Letter to the Romans which focuses on Christian Morality, living the life of grace.
This portion of the Letter is often quoted by Protestants in contradiction to Catholic practice. St Paul states that Christians need not keep specific days as holy or as days of penance, nor need we abstain from meat. "For one believeth that he may eat all things." (Romans 14:2) or again "For one judgeth between day and day: and another judgeth every day." (Romans 14:5)
In fact, St Paul is speaking of the Jewish holy days and the Mosaic dietary laws -- Christians no longer must keep the ritual days of the Mosaic Law, neither do we follow the Old Testament rules about clean and unclean foods. St Paul is certainly not forbidding the Christian holy days or Christian fasting - he himself kept days holy and others as days of fasting, in honor of the Christian mysteries (Sunday for the Resurrection, Friday for the Passion).
Listen online [here]!
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Outline of St Paul's Letter to the Romans
This Letter discusses the grace of Christ in itself.
I. The Doctrine of Grace
A. (Chapters 1-4) The Necessity of Grace. One is not saved by Greek philosophy or by the Jewish Law, but only by the grace of Christ.
B. (Chapters 5-8) The Effects of Grace. By grace, we are freed from the law of sin, the law of death, the law of the flesh, and the law of Moses.
C. (Chapters 9-11) The Origins of Grace. "Salvation is from the Jews." St Paul discusses the relation of the Jews and Gentiles in the one Church of Christ.
II. The Life of Grace
A. (Chapters 12 & 13) Christian Perfection in itself.
B. (Chapters 14 - 15:13) How those who are advanced in the faith should support those whose faith is weak.
C. (Chapters 15:14-16) Specific issues for the Roman church. And the conclusion of the Letter.
