“Faith on a Stormy Sea: Harmony”
A Blog post on Romans 12:9-21(NRSV) by SGC's Member in Discernment Jack Mahoney.
It is amazing and anxiety-inducing to me that Paul wrote his letter to the Roman
church without ever meeting them. This famously beautiful piece of scripture was sent,
on faith, to an unknown congregation. I write this Reflection today to you all, an
expansive, unknown congregation in hopes that it might remind us all of how we ought to
live in Christ, especially during this current unsettling reality.
Paul spends the majority of this letter (Chapters 1-11) attempting to reconcile the
diverse population of the capital city by diving into Jewish Law, righteousness, universal
sin, and faith. Paul speaks to the cultures of Jews and Gentiles alike and draws them
together by illustrating that we are all sinners, and we are all saved by Christ. He shows
that he knows them, even from afar and without interaction. Paul appeals to the
fundamental qualities of various cultures to gain their trust. He honors the diversity of the
community while sewing unity through a common moral foundation. The first eleven
chapters break down lessons in theology, illustrations of lineage and shared history and
the reassurance that we all share in universal sin all in the pursuit of reassuring the
Romans church that God does not show partiality.
Paul switches gears as we arrive at today’s passage. His language becomes
imperative as he writes line after line of direct orders for how this new church should
exist in Rome. It’s important to remember that Christianity was not super popular in the
Roman empire. Christian values worked in almost complete contrast to Roman culture
and Paul is asking them to lean into their Christian faith. Love, serve, rejoice, weep, feed,
extend hospitality, live peaceably. This long “to-do” list is hard to do well under the best
conditions, and this new church in Rome is living in constant uncertainty within its own
congregation and within the culture of the empire. In this scenario, most communities
close their doors to outsiders, shelter together, and even lash out when persecuted. Paul,
however, tells them, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them,” “Do
not repay anyone evil for evil”, “never avenge yourselves”, and finally “Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
We too are living in a time of great uncertainty. We are not being persecuted like
the Christians of ancient Rome, but our faith is being tested just the same. We are isolated
from family and friends. People are losing their jobs, their health, their lives, and fear is
running rampant. This virus upturned our sense of security and normalcy. We can see
people acting in fear; hoarding supplies, lashing out, and closing ranks according to
ideological, political, and religious ties. If Paul sent this letter today, I think his messages,
and the message of Christ’s teachings, would be the same. Our communities and our
nation explode with diversity. We are no longer just split between Jews and Gentiles. We
are divided, mixed, and spread out across the country in more ways than we can
categorize. Paul’s message maintains its influence. We can honor our difference and
diversity and still find a common moral ground. We can be scared and uncertain and still
reach for love. As we take a step into each new day, not knowing what it will bring, we
are called to follow Paul’s orders to serve Christ, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep
with those who weep.” In the coming days and months, there will be many reasons to
weep and worry. When we see another weeping, weep with them. We will also have
moments to rejoice, and when we can take part in rejoicing with another it is imperative
that we do. We will, with the help of God, love our neighbors and each other as we
encounter each new day.
God bless you and keep you until we meet again.
