Abound in Hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit

This meditation is based on a passage for November 26, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Romans 15:7-13

Reflection and Question: Paul is winding down his complicated argument to persuade the Christians in Rome to accept all as important to the community, both the circumcised Jews and the uncircumcised Gentiles. He offers several quotes from what we know as the Old Testament to support his conclusion. These come from the prophets who expanded the vision of God to include all creation and all peoples. And Paul voices here a yearning for joy, peace and hope which continues to help Christians articulate our faith and desires to God. When has your voice joined Paul’s in a cry for joy, peace, and inclusion of all people?

Prayer: Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! (From Romans 15, Eugene Person, The Message, p. 2060)