Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are the children of Israel; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them according to the flesh is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 9:1-5)
Piety
Lord, empower us to be your hands in the world today, holding tightly to those we love, keeping them close to you.
Study
Scholars have dated Paul’s letter to the church in Rome to sometime between the years 55 – 58. Sufficient time had passed since the death of Jesus on the Cross that the apostle Paul was beginning to realize that most of his people, the Jews, were probably never going to acknowledge Jesus as Lord or Messiah. They were likely not going to be drawn to the Gospel.
God’s Son was a Jew by birth. His mission was to God’s people Israel. But a generation later, Paul and the young church were full of questions. Many Gentiles had become Christians. But what about God’s words throughout the centuries to Israel? Are Paul’s people still God’s chosen people? Outside the scope of today’s reading, Paul deals with this as a question of God’s character. Does God remain faithful to the promises made in the covenants?
What today’s Scripture reading deals with is the apostle’s great anguish over all of this. So overwhelming is his sorrow that he says he would give up his own relationship with Christ if doing so would open the eyes of the Jews to the truth of the Gospel. I’m not sure I understand how giving up the relationship that roots you in Truth would change anyone else, but I totally empathize with Paul in the depths of his sadness.
I would venture to say that most of us have family members or close friends for whom Christ is hardly the cornerstone of their existence. Relatives who are acquainted with the name of Jesus but can’t honestly say they know him. Friends who don’t darken the doors of any place of worship. People who never think of praying until their backs are against the wall and they are desperate. People you care for deeply and would do almost anything for if it would open their eyes to what’s really important in life.
Action
What can we do? Pray. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, wrote an article years ago about praying for your loved ones who no longer practice their faith. He wrote that as long as you pray for them and continue to love and forgive them, you are the hands of Christ on earth holding them to the Body of Christ.
In the quietness of your heart, name those you would like to pray for and then take the time to sit with Jesus and share your concerns.
No comments:
Post a Comment