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Romans 15 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Example of Christ

¹ We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

⁸ For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,⁹ and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”

¹⁰ And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

¹¹ And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”

¹² And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

REFLECTION

• Paul reminds us of the attitude we must have if the unity of the body of Christ is to be preserved. We are to “bear with the failings of the weak”. For Jesus’ sake, and for the sake of our fellow believer, we “please [our] neighbor for his good, to build him up”. We are to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed” us.
• Jesus opened His heart and welcomed us when we were sinners, hostile toward God, clothed in the filthy rags of our own pretentions of righteousness, and despite our flaws. This is how we are to relate to others. And just as Jesus’ redeeming love has begun to transform our lives, so in a loving, accepting community of faith, the sinful and the weak will also be transformed.
• Paul concludes this passage with a vivid prayer (v. 13). Consider these words, and try to picture this reality. How can we become those whose lives overflow with joy, peace and hope?
• Spend time praising God for the joy, peace and hope we have in Christ. Think of a person to pray for with v13.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for speaking to me once again through the teachings of Paul today, helping me understand that to please You, I should not seek my own pleasure. I desire to learn the character of humility and selflessness from You, speaking words that build others up with love. By doing so, You will grant me heavenly peace and joy, and I will have hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to offer the prayer of St. Francis as my prayer to You today: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt, let me sow faith. Where there is despair, let me sow hope. Where there is darkness, let me sow light. Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.  Oh, Lord, help me to seek less for myself, to seek less to be comforted, but rather seek to bring comfort to others. Help me to seek less to be understood, but rather seek to understand others. Help me to seek less for love, but rather give love wholeheartedly. In forgiving, we are forgiven. In letting go, we receive. In embracing death, we enter eternal life. Amen!

HYMN

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace – youtu.be/g8eorCEMIK4