Thursday, June 4, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Romans 12:9–21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NRSV)

Reflection
This passage is linked inextricably for me, and perhaps for you, with weddings—a bold list of behaviors and attitudes that soon-to-be spouses wish to emulate. Paul’s list of imperatives are beautiful and aspirational, managing to inspire even while feeling intimidating, and as such they match the feelings going through every couple as they make that commitment to one another. Yet even though this list is a worthy set of aspirations for a married couple, it takes on a whole other degree of difficulty when it is read as addressing all of our interpersonal relationships. It’s one thing to “let our love be genuine” with a person we truly love. It’s something else entirely to approach all our relationships that way—something that Paul stresses throughout the entire chapter.

Hoping to be let off the hook, I looked at the Greek word behind “genuine” (anupokritos), only to find another convicting simile: “unfeigned.” So much for being given a pass! Paul is stressing to us that living into our Christian faith goes beyond external signs of love; it demands that love for another truly dwells within us. Unlike the other imperatives that Paul writes, this one feels out of our control: we all have folks who rub us the wrong way or who seem determined to be unlovable. But even though we may not succeed, our faith nonetheless calls us to approach every relationship or interaction with a spirit of openness and trust, not just from our actions but from deep within—a challenge that begins again each and every day.

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me through the power of your Spirit to see all my relationships with new eyes today—looking out with your love unfeigned. Amen.

Written by Matt Helms, Minister for Children and Families

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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