Wednesday, 8 May, 2002

Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:19-23

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 neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 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. Romans 15:1-6



How do you bring along the neighbor whose faith is "weak" or to say it another way "immature?" Not by wielding a bat. Rather, we must know how to bring them forward and strengthen them so that they come to a see the glory of God in a new light. Change happens in the Church not when we have a majority vote, it takes place when the faithful nurture faithfulness in one another - particularly as it is nurtured in those who do not yet see the transforming power of God's grace as it becomes life within the Reign of God. We need to pray for a divine stick-to-it-ness and the courage to remain strong within the grace of God as we enter the struggle with all the powers that would be willing to settle for something less than God's gracious reign. The strong do not get their way because they can bowl over others...."Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death...even death on the cross."



Connection: Stop. Look. Listen. When we are about to enter the traffic patterns of the day that can take us off in so many directions and be of danger to us, it is good to remind ourselves of the grace of God in which we stand. From there we begin to take in the action around us and firmly but wisely be a witness to the cross of Christ and the life given to us all.



God of steadfastness and encouragement, we need to have your power present with us each moment. As you enrich us in faithfulness toward you, give us the patience and the love to bring along those who may not see the world as we do. Grant us all an extra measure of your grace. Amen