{"id":21172,"date":"2023-08-28T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/28-august-2023"},"modified":"2023-08-28T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T05:00:00","slug":"28-august-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/28-august-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"28 August 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Romans 15: 1 – 6<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of building up the neighbour.  For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, \u2018The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.\u2019  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Unity.<\/span>
Harmony.<\/span>
Selflessness.<\/span>
Putting the needs of others before our own. <\/span>
That\u2019s the vision that Paul presents of the church.<\/span>
How wonderful it sounds!<\/span><\/p>\n

But Paul knew as well as we do, that\u2019s not always the reality.<\/span>
Putting the needs of others before ourselves?<\/span>
Putting up with others\u2019 foibles which irritate and frustrate us?<\/span>
Being generous in spirit to those who push us to the limit of our patience?<\/span>
No, that\u2019s not always easy.   Sometimes we may even think it\u2019s impossible.<\/span>
As we look around us in church and as we look into our own hearts we see the gap between the vision and reality.<\/span>
So when we hear Paul\u2019s aspiration for the church of a community where unity and selflessness reign we may feel a bit cynical.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can church truly be like this? Will it ever?<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul was not na\u00efve when he wrote these words.  He knew that even followers of Jesus struggle to put his words into practice and to truly love each other. <\/span><\/p>\n

But he didn\u2019t become cynical, either.  He still had hope in what God can do.  He still believed in the vision of transformed lives and communities, marked by radical and selfless love.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why he wrote to the churches about love \u2013 to encourage them to hold on to the vision and to have faith in God.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relying on our own strength it is impossible to live the reality of Paul\u2019s words.<\/span><\/p>\n

If we are to build harmonious communities of selflessness and graciousness we need God\u2019s help.<\/span><\/p>\n

We need God to remind us of the vision of what we ourselves and the church can be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then we need to ask God to give us what we need to make the vision become reality.<\/span>
 
Prayer<\/span><\/strong>
Loving Jesus<\/span>
Thank you for loving me with all my foibles.<\/span>
When I feel frustrated with others around me, fill me with your love.<\/span>
When I feel cynical about the church, renew my vision.<\/span>
Help me to see what, with your help, I and the church can be –<\/span>
and grant that it may be so.<\/span>
Amen.<\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Romans 15: 1 – 6 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of building up the neighbour.  For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, \u2018The insults of those … <\/p>\n

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