Intro to Extended Open Worship
Romans 12:9-21
“Where are we going?” “How will we get there?” I think Paul, here, shares his wisdom about some practices, habits, patterns of action, that might serve his community well, in becoming a more truly loving community. And becoming more loving is not just a luxury, a good but non-essential thing. It’s not just a matter of self-actualization, it’s a matter of survival, individual and communal, then and now. One of my favorite 90s songs is by the Eagles: “Love Will Keep Us Alive." Couldn’t agree more with the Eagles on this one.
Today, I invite you to listen with me, to the Spirit who at least partially inspired these words and who guides us toward Love. I don’t insist you like or embrace everything Paul says, and noticing what troubles you could be as important as what makes you close your eyes and nod your head in relieved agreement. I also encourage you not to spend too much time speculating on what Paul really meant and the realities of his world, but to ask: what do these words open up for us, in this moment, in our journey? Let’s listen to Paul, and then to the Spirit, together, in an extended time of open worship.
Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV):
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
As we continue to listen, you are invited to speak out of the silence, remembering that you are welcome to share imperfectly and nervously, if you have a sense that it’s good and right for you to share. I encourage brevity in sharing, for many good reasons. I also encourage you, if you don’t often speak out of the silence, here, or have never done so, to consider whether you might have Spirit-energized guidance for us, today, even if it seems kind of basic, to you. And remember that silence is an opportunity, a gift. It’s not “dead air that needs to be filled with words,” but a place from which clarity and direction come.
I want to offer queries from the angle of our word of the year, sustain.
Queries:
What sustaining practices do I encounter in this text? What feels most timely, for us?
What is sustaining me—my body, mind, and heart—in this season?
What is sustaining my community and my relationships with others?
What—negatively—is sustaining cruelty and violence in our world?
What—positively—is sustaining my efforts to do good in the world?
In what ways am I, even in some small way, sustenance for others?