Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV)
Read Romans 12:9-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Verse 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Verse 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Verse 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Verse 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Verse 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Verse 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Verse 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Verse 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. Verse 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Verse 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Verse 20No, "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." Verse 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Devotion
Paul welcomes us to midweek of this new beginning. By now landmarks point the way. Things look familiar. Names are not yet connected with faces, but the composite picture no longer is comprised of only strangers. Anxiety is less pervasive and a sense of safety and welcome is assumed in the presence of those we meet.
We are now ready to hear from Paul. So many treasures for the journey. Genuine love, goodness all around, mutual affection and honor, patient joyful hope. With the confidence and assurance of God's grace, community care and service seems less risky. Becoming settled in God's mercy we are free to feed and hydrate even our enemies and seek the common good, even when we are unsure of what it might be. "Live peaceably with all," Paul writes, "so far as it depends on you," and history shouts that peaceful living does depend on us all. Getting out with peacemaking and living God's amazing treasures is our call.
Prayer
Our Wednesday prayer, gracious God, is to say, "thank you" for your patience with our settling in and our hesitancy in getting out. Embrace us in love and free us to risk loving our neighbor. In your name we pray. Amen.