Advent 08 - Family Bible reading for Advent 2008

In keeping with the penitential spirit of Advent, I thought it would
be good to be reminded of St. Paul's teaching on sin, which is so
often questioned in the world today.

Goal is gather as many as we can after dinner each night and read
about a half-chapter to each other. Probably won't finish by
Christmas, but should be close by end of December.

We're reading the Japanese Franciscan translation.

* <2008-12-01 Mon> Romans 1:1-15

Readers: DTJ

Summary: Greeting. Paul's desire to visit the Romans.

* <2008-12-02 Tue> Romans 1:16-32

Readers: SF

Summary: Saved through faith, Gentiles' depravity.

* <2008-12-03 Wed> Romans 2:1-16

Readers: MD

Summary: Jews who have God's law may not judge Gentiles because they
commit the same sins. Possession of the law is meaningless if you
still sin.

* <2008-12-04 Thu> Romans 2:17-29

Readers: TS

Summary: Jews disgrace God by condemning sin based on the law while
committing sin themselves. Circumcision is worthless if you don't
follow the law. The uncircumcised Gentile who honors the law is seen
by God as circumcised.

* <2008-12-05 Fri> Romans 3:1-20

Readers: JF

Summary: There is still advantage in being Jewish and
circumcision. Jews have been entrusted with God's Word. Human
infidelity to the Word reveals God's greater fidelity. However, this
means neither that God is unfair to judge against sin nor that
purposeful sin is justified. No one, Jew or Gentile, is justified
before God and all are full of sin. Following the Law does not
justify. The Law only gives awareness of sin.

* <2008-12-09 Tue> Romans 3:21 - 4:8

      Readers: MD

* <2008-12-10 Wed> Romans 4:9-25

Readers: SF

Summary: Abraham was justified before being circumcised, therefore
Jews and Gentiles may be justified to God.

* <2008-12-12 Fri> Romans 5:1-21

Readers: MD

Summary: Paul proud of hope in God's glory, and of persecution which
leads to greater hope. God revealed his great love for us by Christ's
death for us while still sinners. Through Adam's disobedience, all
human beings became sinners and under death's rule. Through Jesus
Christ's obedience, humans beings are justified and led to eternal
life. Christ's grace far exceeds the damage of Adam's sin.

* <2008-12-15 Mon> Romans 6:1-14

Readers: JFM

Summary: Should we commit sins so that grace will increase? No,
because through baptism we are joined in Christ's death and so are
now dead to sin.