Pursue What Makes for Peace and Mutual Upbuilding

This meditation is based on a passage for July 21, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Romans 14:13-23

Reflection and Question: Paul’s complex thoughts here are worth a lot of reflection and study. Eating of meat offered to idols, the controversial topic for the Romans, is inconsequential for us, but Paul’s words give us guidance whatever our difference of opinion might be. And he is clear in his conclusion: “Proceed from faith.” If you do that, deeply and sincerely, most likely all will be well with God and neighbor. Paul begins the section with encouragement to “no longer pass judgment on one another,” suggesting how important non-judgment is to our faithfulness. What makes for peace in your life?

Prayer: God of all creation, open our hearts to Your Truth in Paul’s insight that, in Christ, nothing is unclean in itself, but is unclean for the one who thinks it is unclean. Help us to put this into practice in our daily encounters with our neighbor. Amen.