For the next four weeks the readings will be taken from St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans. This letter differs from others that Paul wrote in that he did not know the Roman Church personally. His other letters dealt with issues and problems that he was familiar with. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome to introduce himself since he knew that his reputation preceded him — and it was not always flattering. The Apostle originally did not plan to stay in Rome (he preferred to go to places where the gospel had not yet been preached) but was using it as a springboard to launch a mission to Spain. As we read the epistle we can see Paul’s careful exposition of the “gospel he preached”
