The Word of God is Near You (Rom. 10:5-18)

Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from [the] law, “The one who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or ‘Who will go down into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), 9 for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 For the scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15 And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!” 16 But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?” 17 Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. 18 'But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for “Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”

Paul referenced the Old Testament Law and told the believers that Moses promised life to those who strive to observe all the burdensome prescriptions of the Mosaic Law (Lev. 18:5).  In contrast, the righteousness that comes from faith does not require any such arduous tasks.  One only has to let the word of faith be in one’s mouth and heart (Deut. 30:14).  As a consequence of the incarnate Son of God’s willing death and resurrection, a person only has to believe in his heart to be made righteous and confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord, and he will be saved (Phil. 2:9-11).  This was a basic Christian confession of faith of the early Church.  Followers of Christ must not only say the words of that credal formula but must truly believe them in their hearts, which will lead to a right relationship with God and to salvation.  Followers of Christ will not disappointed (Is. 28:16).

The message of salvation is for Jews and Gentiles alike so through faith, everyone has the opportunity to share in God’s saving grace offered by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The process of salvation requires hearing the Gospel message from those sent to proclaim the good news of salvation (Acts 8:31), and from believing in Christ.  Isaiah prophesied that not everyone will accept the Gospel message (Is. 53:1).  Faith is based on hearing the Word of Christ from those charged with the beautiful mission of bringing the Gospel to the whole world.  No one lacks the opportunity to hear the word and believe in Christ.  The opportunity was offered to the house of Israel through the prophets and then through the Gospel, but they rejected the prophets and the Gospel.  The Gospel has been fully preached to everyone (Ps. 19:5) but not everyone accepted it and received the good news.  

Almighty God, help us to hear and understand the good news preached by your Son, and to follow your commands which guide our lives.  Grant us the grace to accept your word and to live lives pleasing to you.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!  

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.