Welcome One Another

Text: Romans 15:1-13

Reflection and Question: Of course, Paul was working very hard to help the Christians in Rome to set aside their heritage, whether Jewish or Gentile, in order to sing a new harmony in Christ. Toward the comparable divisions in our day, Paul implores us to “please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.” And, using a word that has become a sign of full inclusion of all people in all ways, Paul instructs us, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Is your welcome one that will please and build up your neighbor?

Prayer: God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).