Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, …Prisca and Aquila, …Epenetus, …Mary, …Andronicus and Junia, …Ampliatus, …Urbanus,…Stachys, …Apelles, …Herodion, …Tryphena and Tryphosa, …Persis, …Rufus, …Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters with them, …Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas…. Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my compatriots. I, Tertius, who am writing this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus the city treasurer and our brother Quartus greet you. (NET)

Reflection

When I read this list I can’t help but think of the first days I arrived in Brazil in 1977. So many names I had never heard of before! I was used to names like John, Jim, David, Jane, Sally, Liz and so on. Now I had to learn new names I had never heard before, and not only that, but the nicknames that went along with them as well: Zé, Zí, Malu, Nando and so forth.

Perhaps the above list with so many strange names impresses you as well. But if you can see beyond this, you will find something quite extraordinary: Paul had many friends and they were intimate friends. And another thing: he knew that what was important in this life was relationships. Sure, theology is important. Biblical exposition is important. Very important. After all, he used alot of ink with sound theology and biblical exposition in this letter. But at the end of the day, relationships and friendships were also important. Why? Because the justification by faith which is the subject matter of the first eight chapters not only puts us in a right relationship with God, but it also estabelishes right relationships with our neighbor, for example, among Jews and non-Jews, the subject matter of Romans 9-11, and also among different people within the church, the subject matter of chapters 12-15.

Now it is important to understand that right relationships do not negatively refer to simply to those relationships that are not oppressive or egoistic. They also refer positively to relationships guided by love, the basis of all friendships (the two words, love and friendship, have the same root in Latin).

So, just as Paul greets his friends with such care, I want to greet each of you with the same love. Our friendship is very important and I miss you you when we are away for long periods of time. God bless you at this end of the year as we reunite with friends and family to celebrate the One who makes redeemed friendships possible, because the justice he brought about in us is manifest through our friendships.

Prayer

I thank you, oh Father, for the reconciliation to you in Christ Jesus. I thank you for the reconciliation made possible with our neighbor that sprounts from this your work in us. In Jesus name. Amen.

This is the reason I was often hindered from coming to you. But now there is nothing more to keep me in these regions, and I have for many years desired to come to you when I go to Spain. For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. (NET)

Reflection

Wow! Did you follow all of that? Rome, Spain, Jerusalem and even Macedonia and Achaia. Paul’s ministry led him to all these places, and here, in just a few verses! He wanted to visit the Romans and planned to do so on his way to Spain. But first, he needed to deliver an offering that he raised during his ministry in ancient central Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica and Corinth).

Life and ministry can sometimes be pretty complex. In no time we can easily have so many and so diverse tasks that divide our attention and take us in different directions. Is that your situation as well? No need to fret. Seek first the direction of the Holy Spirit and take each task one at a time and in the proper order. That makes the road before us easier to travel.

The Christian life and the ministries it brings are simply fantastic. Praise God for the opportunities He brings us. Trust and rest in Him.

Prayer

Loving God. We thank you for the commitments you bring us and for our role in your reign. Grant us wisdom and faith that we might put our trust in you for the strength we need to go forward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.