October 13, 2025 // Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Romans 1:1-7
Reflect on the Word //
The sun was bright that morning at the soccer field. A chill was in the air, a light breeze blowing. In between cheering for my boys, I started chatting with one of the other moms. I was feeling comfortable, making small talk, when she asked me a simple question: “What’s your last name?” Should be simple, but I had two kids on the same team, brothers only twenty days apart in our beautiful blended family. I started babbling awkwardly about how I had recently gotten married and added my husband’s name onto mine, how I didn’t want to lose my perceived connection to my biological kids by changing my name completely, but I also didn’t like how clunky the double last name felt.
Oof. That poor woman got more than she bargained for.
Saint Paul’s greeting to the Romans has no such hesitation or stumbling over words. He doesn’t pull any punches when he’s identifying himself. Verse one of the first chapter of his Letter to the Romans says, “I, Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus.” His identity is so firmly rooted in Christ, in his mission, in the Gospel, that it is basically his last name. He is so utterly unashamed of the Gospel that he can’t even introduce himself without sharing Christ. Imagine being that bold!
Our culture is rife with identity crises. But as followers of Christ we know exactly Who identifies us. No matter who we are, or what name we have, we can always come back to this: “slave of Christ Jesus [. . .] called to belong to Jesus Christ [. . .] called to be holy” (Romans 1:1, 6, 7). Whenever feelings or circumstances make us doubt who we are, we can look into the face of the Savior and remember in Whose image and likeness we are made. And in every circumstance, we are called to reflect that image to the world.
Relate to the Lord // Who does God say that you are? Ask the Father to reveal your identity as His daughter.
Elizabeth Blanke Show is a remarried widow and mama to seven beautiful kiddos. She is passionate about creating community, and loves gathering people to share meals and music in her home. She also loves spending time in nature and exploring new places. You can find her on Instagram @elizaraxi.
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