Movements of the Spirit

Romans 1:1-7

          If we have a grasp of the Hebrew scriptures we will have learned many things. We know the various styles employed. We know the historical aspects of the texts. We get a sense of who these people are and a knowledge of individuals struggling in their faith and trying to be Godly. We also get a sense of the message interwoven in the passages that speak of the coming of Jesus. We can see this from our distant vantage point. We have that advantage and a bit of knowledge.

          This letter of Paul to the Romans is sent to a fledgling church and to Gentiles (that is, the non Jewish community). This community had no such intimate knowledge of scripture as we do, no historical perspective such as we have. They had the message of Jesus and the stories of his life fresh in the memories of those who witnessed it.

            Just as the movement of the Spirit is seen in Hebrew scriptures proclaiming the coming of Christ and his fulfillment of the law, the Spirit is seen here again advancing the message of salvation in peoples that have no direct connection to the people of the Old Testament. This message was new and fresh. Jesus' message is still new and fresh. The Spirit gave fire to the message that grew in the world full of ancient and dark religions. Many of these religions were born of mystery, ignorance, fear and philosophical views of the world as simply good and evil.

            What stood out was the message of truth, love and hope. As one of todays' other readings proclaims (1 Cor 13 ), the greatest of these is love. The movement of the Spirit in the life of man and the expression of love is paramount. Love overcomes all. The message is universal and strong. In this way, you need not have an intimate knowledge of Hebrew scriptures that foretells of Jesus and his love. Jesus message is pure and simple for all to understand.

           Today we see the message of Christ being proclaimed by more and more people who were once considered anathema. The message of love is alive and well in the gay community that once was held in darkness. Many in the gay community are embracing a message that was warped by clergy that proclaimed it as evil and "intrinsically disordered" while at the same time having liaisons and gay lives on the side. This is not a way to respect life, love and show what Jesus' message of love is all about. Now is the time the gay community can accept the loving message of God, embrace it and live it openly and fully. This is a sign of the Spirit still alive, still expanding the love that God has for all his creations.

              The Spirit of God cannot be contained. Love conquers all.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.