Unashamed: The Transformative Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17)

Today, I invite us to reflect on two verses from Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans that capture the very essence of our faith. In Romans 1:16-17, Paul writes: 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."' These words, penned nearly two millennia ago, continue to resonate with extraordinary power in our hearts today. They remind us that at the center of our faith lies not a philosophy or moral code, but a living power—the very power of God working through the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we come before the altar of the Lord today, let us open our hearts to experience anew this transformative power that has shaped countless lives throughout the centuries, including our own.

 

Saint Paul begins with a bold declaration: 'I am not ashamed of the gospel.' Consider the context of Paul's words. He was writing to believers in Rome—the center of the most powerful empire the world had known. Roman culture celebrated military might, intellectual prowess, and social status. Yet Paul proclaims that true power lies not in human achievement but in the seemingly foolish message of a crucified Savior. The Greek word for 'power' here is 'dunamis'—from which we derive words like 'dynamic' and 'dynamite.' The gospel is not merely good advice; it is God's explosive, transformative power. Our Catholic tradition has always recognized this truth. 'The power of Christ's Cross and Resurrection is greater than any evil which man could or should fear.' This power operates specifically for salvation—the comprehensive healing and restoration of the human person. The Catechism teaches us that salvation embraces our entire being—body and soul. Through the sacramental life of the Church, especially in the Eucharist, we encounter this saving power that liberates us from sin and death, and gradually transforms us into the image of Christ himself. The gospel's power for salvation reminds us that we cannot save ourselves through moral effort alone. As Catholics, we affirm that salvation comes through grace, God's freely given gift. Yet this grace calls forth our response of faith and works of charity. As Saint Augustine beautifully expressed it: 'He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent.'

 

Paul continues by emphasizing that this gospel is 'for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.' This universal scope of salvation reflects the heart of our Catholic faith, expressed in the very word 'catholic,' which means 'universal.' In Paul's day, the division between Jew and Gentile was absolute. Religious, cultural, and social barriers separated these communities. Yet the gospel transcends all human boundaries. The Church is 'a sign and instrument of communion with God and of unity among all people.' This universal invitation challenges any tendency toward exclusivity in our hearts or in our communities. We are called to build bridges rather than walls between the people of God, reminding us that God's mercy extends to all people without exception. When Paul says 'to the Jew first and also to the Greek,' he acknowledges God's historical covenant with Israel while affirming its fulfillment and extension in Christ. Our Catholic tradition treasures this continuity between the Old and New Covenants. The Church of Christ acknowledges that... the beginnings of her faith and her election are found already among the Patriarchs, Moses and the prophets. The gospel's universal nature reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's love. The saints throughout history have embodied this truth through their missionary zeal and works of mercy. Saint Teresa of Calcutta saw Christ in the most marginalized, reminding us that the gospel's power extends to every corner of human experience.

 

Paul then takes us deeper: 'For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."' This righteousness is not merely God's attribute but his saving activity—his faithfulness to his covenant promises. The phrase 'from faith to faith' suggests a journey, a progression in our relationship with God. As Catholics, we understand faith not as a one-time decision but as a lifelong pilgrimage. From the initial gift of faith received in Baptism to its daily deepening through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments, we are continually drawn into deeper communion with God. This righteousness is revealed, not achieved. It comes to us as gift before it becomes task. In the beautiful rhythm of our Catholic spirituality, we receive God's grace so that we might respond with lives of faith and good works. As Saint Thomas Aquinas taught, grace does not destroy nature but perfects it. When Paul quotes the prophet Habakkuk—'The righteous shall live by faith'—he connects the gospel to God's consistent way of relating to humanity throughout salvation history. This faith is not mere intellectual assent but whole-hearted trust and commitment. It is the faith exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary when she said, 'Let it be done to me according to your word.' Living by faith means allowing God's revelation in Christ to reshape our understanding of everything—our identity, our purpose, our relationships, and our future. It means embracing the mysteries of our faith even when they transcend our complete understanding.

 

Paul's opening declaration—'I am not ashamed of the gospel'—invites us to examine our own relationship with the gospel message. In a world that often marginalizes faith or reduces it to private preference, do we sometimes feel embarrassed by our Catholic identity? Do we hesitate to speak of Christ's transforming power in our lives? Living unashamed of the gospel doesn't mean aggressive proselytizing or judgmental attitudes toward others. Rather, it means living with such authentic joy, compassion, and integrity that others naturally ask about the source of our hope. As Saint Francis of Assisi purportedly said, 'Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.' The gospel's power to overcome shame is particularly relevant in our time. Many carry burdens of guilt, regret, or inadequacy. The good news is that in Christ, we are fully known yet fully loved. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we experience God's mercy that heals our shame and restores our dignity as his beloved children. Embracing the gospel in daily life means allowing its power to transform every dimension of our existence—our family relationships, our work ethics, our consumer habits, our digital presence, our ecological choices. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. In practical terms, this might mean examining our schedules to ensure time for prayer and Mass, reviewing our financial priorities to reflect gospel values of generosity and simplicity, or reconciling with someone from whom we've been estranged. It might mean standing in solidarity with the marginalized or advocating for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

 

As we prepare to receive the Eucharist—the source and summit of our Catholic faith—let us remember that the same power Paul proclaimed in Romans continues to work in and through us today. The gospel is not a relic of history but a living reality that continues to transform lives, communities, and cultures. John Henry Newman beautifully described this ongoing transformation: 'To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.' The gospel's power enables this continuous conversion, this lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. May we leave this sacred celebration today with renewed confidence in the power of the gospel—God's power for salvation, offered freely to all who believe. May we, like Paul, live unashamed of this good news, bearing witness to its transformative power through lives of faith, hope, and love. The gospel's power awaits all who welcome it with open hearts. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.