Thinking over the weekend following my wrap up of Paul’s Letter to the Romans studied not from a theology point-of-view, but as a guide to our spiritual life.
Paul is not Jesus. There are times I disagree. I’d love to be able to sit over coffee or dinner and discuss what he was actually thinking at times. But Paul’s writings perhaps were published before any other New Testament writing. Some scholars believe that early drafts of the gospels circulated before the finished documents were published. I am continually amazed at how Paul quotes phrases from Jesus never having met him in life, probably only meeting the apostles. Yet, there he is, Jesus, with words that echo the writings of the gospels.
Paul had a few views of great concern:
- Assure that weird theologies did not gain a footing detracting from the essential gospel message
- Guide his followers into how to live a spiritual life
- Help the small forming churches learn to govern themselves in the new freedoms without going so far as to draw ire of the Emperor
He taught spiritual formation often using analogies from athletics. Running a race or boxing. He talked about discipline. Intention. Practice.
Looking at Romans, for example, he did not stop with advising us to simply meditate on God’s grace saying we believe in Jesus.
He took literally Jesus’ commands about loving our neighbor by, for example, drawing a picture of the way people following Jesus actually live. Every day. Serving others. Being kind. Showing (not just feeling) love.
Where are you in your spiritual practices? Do you study daily? Pray and meditate daily? Find ways small and large to serve others every day?
Is it time for us to reflect at the end of each day how we did on those topics? Just like on our physical exercise and nutrition.
Ignatius of Loyola and Benjamin Franklin, to pull examples from totally disparate people, advised such a daily practice.
That would be good for me to be more regular. How about you?
Faith Venture 
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