Tuesday 7 November 2023

Today is Tuesday 7 November, in the 31st week of Ordinary time.

The community of Taizé sing Dieu ne peut que donner son amour: “God can only give faithful love, tenderness and forgiveness.”

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Rom 12:5-16

We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.


Paul speaks to the Christians of Rome, giving them counsel for their new community. It’s the diametric opposite of the social norms of the Roman Empire, built on dominance and supremacy. Perhaps we haven’t always experienced these Christian ideals operating within our own Church community. But what would it be like if we did?

Paul exhorts us to value difference, to be hospitable, generous and loving. He praises humility and the practice of forgiveness. How do you feel when you hear his words?

As you hear Paul’s exhortation repeated, allow his words to touch you, letting them encourage or challenge you as the Spirit chooses.

Paul’s rule of life sounds less tough than the dominating culture of ancient Rome, but the gentleness he advocates is challenging, nonetheless. What do you want to say to God in response to the reading?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.