Monday, October 20

Romans 12 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.

Reflection:

In this passage, Paul speaks of many marks or attributes of followers of Jesus. Of the many marks, we might focus on “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” George Eliot once said, “Surely it is not true blessedness to be free from sorrow while there is sorrow in the world; sorrow is then part of love, and love does not seek to throw it off.”

Question for reflection:

Think of one time when you were able to rejoice with a person rejoicing or weep with a person weeping. What do you remember about the experience of laughing or weeping? How might weeping or laughing in this way bring joy to God’s heart?