Scripture: Romans 15:26-27
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, cialis sale and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

Thought for the Day: What a lovely vision Paul has! Everyone shares what they have with the entire community, and they share with joy. Some of us have spiritual gifts, some of us material gifts. Some of us are good with numbers, and some of us can cook. Some of us are rich, others… not so much (in the case of the U.S., 99% of us are on the not so much side). We are all obligated to share with the poor. Whatever it is we love to do, whatever resources we have at our disposal, in the new world vision Jesus unveiled and Paul teaches about, communal sharing of our gifts is required behavior.

Paul also reminds the Gentiles that they have been allowed by God to share in the spiritual blessings of the Jewish people, who are owed, at the very least, a debt of gratitude. Gentiles are invited to worship the one true God of Israel, who now extends the sacred covenant beyond the Jewish people to the entire world. Paul recognizes this is radical thinking. Even Jesus struggled with this idea, and had he been alive, probably would have fought with Paul about the specifics (do gentiles need to be circumcised or follow Jewish dietary laws?) the way Peter did. But Paul’s point is well taken even today, when we tend to think of Judaism and Christianity as vastly different religions, even though originally, in Jesus’ time, we were one and the same. It’s a pity thousands of years of politics have divided Judaism, Christianity and Islam so drastically. Imagine what we could accomplish if we once again came together around God’s table of love. One people, many cultures, all under God, with liberty and justice for all.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus, for showing me that God’s love can never be contained by any single person or culture. Remind me, most loving teacher, that we are all part of God’s community. Show me that by thinking more inclusively we can overcome our differences by focusing on our wholly (not a typo!) loving God. Amen.