A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.

I say this now to you Gentiles:  Inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry, trying to rouse my own people in envy and save some of them.  For if their rejection has meant reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean? Nothing less than life from the dead!

God’s gift and God’s call are irrevocable.  Just as when you were once disobedient to God and now have received mercy through Israel’s disobedience, now they have become disobedient – since

God wished to show you mercy – that they too may receive mercy. God has imprisoned all in disobedience in order to have mercy on all.

The Word of God recorded in the letter of Paul to the Romans.