Today's Meditation
Read Romans 16:1-16
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well. 3Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, 4and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
This is an odd text to have a meditation about, but I always find the background to this section of Romans quite fascinating. First, we have Paul, the author of this letter to the Roman church, who has never been to this church and did not found it. It was founded before Paul began his missionary journeys around Asia-Minor.
Yet, he greets 25 people by name in this section and mentions details about many of them. I would be hard-pressed to remember the names of more than 3 or 4 people at other churches I have visited and done some ministry with, let alone 25 people I had not known well. Paul makes an effort to remember people's names and remember details about their lives. They have now been remembered in the annals of history through his writings.
About 6 years ago on my way to the home of a new ESL student, I was early and therefore stopped at a tiny neighborhood coffee shop. I ordered an Iced Caramel Latte, something that I usually order at most coffee shops in the summer. I spoke briefly with the owner and she asked my name. It was a busy place, with customers coming and going during the half hour that I hung out there. I did not return to that coffee shop for a number of months as I had now estimated the correct travel time between my house and my student's. But, one day, I stopped again. The owner remembered my name AND the drink I had ordered. I was so impressed that I started stopping on a regular basis, whenever I was out that way.
To be remembered by name and some detail about your life is often personally rewarding. It conveys the idea that you matter, that your life matters, that you are important to the other person. Some people say that they are terrible with remembering people's names (I'm one of them), but try to make an effort to remember. It makes a world of difference to the other person! After all, our names are written in the Book of Life.
I Will Remember You - this song is dedicated to all the people who have been part of my life in big and small ways - from the earliest part of my life until now. I will remember YOU!
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