Live Peaceably With All

This meditation is based on a passage for May 24, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Romans 12:1-21

Reflection and Question: If we all lived by Paul’s wisdom here, we would all live in peace because all sides in any dispute would treat those with whom they disagree as Paul teaches here: do not repay evil for evil, but instead give food and drink to your enemies. “Bless those who persecute you,” says Paul, echoing Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:44). This treatment of adversaries can best arise from the humility Paul encourages us to cultivate in ourselves and from faith that God sees what is going on and is in control of all. Who are your adversaries and how do you treat them?

Prayer: Loving Holy Spirit, help us to rejoice in hope, to be patient in suffering, to persevere in prayer, to give hospitality to the stranger, to weep with those who weep. This will prepare us to live in harmony with all, including our adversaries. Amen.