Rejoice in Hope... Romans 12:12

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 30, 2020

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Emmaus, PA

Reflections on The Season of Pentecost

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 30, 2020

By Rev. Jane Bender

Dear St. Margaret’s Family,

This week’s Epistle is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Chapter 12:9-21.  In these brief verses are a series of rapid-fire exhortations that go by so quickly it seems there is not much connection or clarification.  But all of these appeals are made to understand and act upon Christian love.

Paul assumes his listeners know that they are to love one another. But, in these passages Paul makes the urging that love be genuine. From the heart and mind.  And inspired by the Holy Spirit.  “Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord”.

This reading contains one of my favorite verses in all of our sacred texts:

Romans 12:12:  “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer”. 

These words are so practical and REAL.  This verse does not make assumptions that all of life is easy.  It acknowledges the reality of SUFFERING – and – it acknowledges the reality of HOPE.   And it acknowledges that we’re not in this alone; but, that God is near and ready to hear our prayer in all times and in all places.

We are living in a time of intense suffering with the pandemic and a time when Christian Hope is so desperately needed and necessary.

Paul’s words speak also afresh to the present reality of strife and discord in our nation and in the world.

There seems to be a bankruptcy of love in our nation with the daily contentious headlines of disunity and fear. In these verses Paul addresses the combative times in which he is writing.  He offers a different way of relating to people that puts others first and is above all genuine.

In his commentary, Israel Kamudzandu, Assoc. Prof. of New Testament Studies, Saint Paul School of Theology, writes that: “Therefore, the love we are called to live out is not an emotional one, but one that comes from the transforming and spiritual rebirth of our minds, souls, and hearts.

It is practical love in that it is experienced by both the self and the other; it is love lived out in ways that always cherishes others. This love seeks justice, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.”

May we this week practice rejoicing, hoping and praying knowing that God is with us.

God bless you and keep you in God’s loving embrace,

Jane+