Let Love Be Genuine

This meditation is based on a passage for July 16, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Romans 12:9-21

Reflection and Question: Paul turns at the end of Romans to practical affairs: how to be in the church together. Christian communities living in any time do well to write Paul’s words here on their hearts. As part of his advice, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” In this he echoes Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 7:1-5), emphasizing that God alone is judge. Harmony in the church rests upon leaving judgment to God. Only then is love genuine, and living peaceably becomes possible. How do you take thought of what is noble in others?

Prayer: Loving Spirit, show us how to overcome evil with good in our time and place, especially in our church families. Help us to love one another, persevering in prayer. If we have any enemies, may we treat them as Paul counsels, with love. Amen.