Friday, November 28, 2014

Friday November 28, 2014 

Romans 15:7-13

This reading from Paul’s letter to Christians in Rome is read on the second Sunday of Advent Year A – the first of the three-year cycle.  It’s message is one of welcoming others, and, specifically those outside the Jewish faith, called Gentiles by Paul.  It is unfortunate that this passage, and many others similar to it, have been used by the church to conclude that the Christian faith has replaced the Jewish faith as the only approach to God and to salvation. 

This was the farthest thing from Paul’s mind.  Rather, he was adamant throughout his writings that, as Jesus was a Jew, his message was for this people.  Paul’s vision and zeal for the good news of Jesus allowed him to expand the invitation to those outside the Jewish faith as well.  So when Paul exhorts his readers to “welcome one another . . .”, he calls them to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a neighbour. 

And we are called to this same renewal and deepening of understanding.  A reflection on the question, “Who is my neighbour?” always brings fruitful results.  Why not ask yourself this question now, and prayerfully consider the ramifications of the answer.

- Reverend Paul Kett