Reflections: The 12th chapter of Romans contains some of Paul’s most powerful writing. He begins the chapter by stating: “I urge you, in view of God’s mercy , to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Paul was calling for a life different from that valued by the world. He was calling for sacrifice.
A few verses later, in today’s Scripture, he quoted Proverbs 25:21-22 and called for the followers of Jesus to repay evil with good and to feed the enemy who is hungry and give drink to those who have mistreated us. This seems unworkable, unrealistic, and foolish as we live in the midst of anger, injustice and calls for vengeance. Paul’s plea was based upon the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:44 in which Jesus said: “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Did Jesus and Paul not know how the world really works? They knew how the world works, but they also knew how God really works.
Proverbs and Paul state that God’s way will “heap burning coals” on the heads of our enemies. As a boy I envisioned a scoop shovel dumping burning coals on evil people…but is the instruction given to inflict punishment on our enemies? Will our love and grace cause them to burn with curiosity and wonder. Clarence Jordon translated this: “you will put a lighted coal in his noggin'” The way of anger, revenge, cruelty, and violence have never worked. They only breed more of the same. While the words of Jesus and Paul sound strange, are they the words of life for us…and for the world? We’ve tried the way of the world…am I willing to try the way of Jesus?
Prayer: Oh Lord, give me a vision of what can be when one follows Jesus. Amen.