Please read the passage before the homily
Paul continues his letter to the Romans. Remember that 80% of the city of Roma were slaves. This fact keeps the symbol of slavery alive for Paul. What about sin in our lives?
Paul acknowledged in himself and un us an inner drive and talent for goodness. Yet he also acknowledged the presence of evil in our lives. In one sense he admitted the enslavement to sin we all experience, from which that is seems impossible to be free. How can we become free of sin in our lives? For us it is impossible to be free of sins, but are we condemned to live and die as slaves forever?
This where the Good News, the Gospel, comes in. The life and death of Christ Jesus have made it possible for us to live under the law of grace and escape the law of sin and death. Our association into Christ’s death and resurrection have ushered us into the grace of God.
It is Jesus Christ who delivers us from this mortal body and the struggle against the slavery of sin. Paul exclaimed “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We, like Paul, can make this same exclamation of gratitude.