3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Romans 5: 1 - 10

A reading - from the Letter of St. Paul the apostle to the Romans

Brothers and sisters: now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Je| sus | Christ.

Through him we have gained access by faith to the grace in which we now stand, and we boast of our hope for the glory | of | God.

But not only that - we even boast of our afflictions! We know that affliction makes for endurance, and endurance for tested virtue, and tested virtue | for | hope.

And this hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given | to | us.

At the appointed time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for us God| less | men.

It is rare that anyone should lay down his life for a just man, though it is barely possible that for a good man someone may have the courage | to | die.

It is precisely in this that God proves his love for us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died | for | us.

Now that we have been justified by his blood, it is all the more certain that we shall be saved by him from | God's | wrath.

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of | his | Son,

it is all the more certain that we who have been reconciled will - be - saved - by - his - life.