Sermon – Romans 14:1-12
Paul’s letter to the Roman churches is a challenge for me. There is some profound theological reflection that occurs within it. There is also a great deal that has been used to justify cruelty, oppression and, frankly, violence over the centuries.
So, I tend to approach this letter and the scripture readings it provides with a large measure of caution. For example, the first chapter of Romans includes words that have been used for a long time to argue in favour of the persecution of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender siblings.
What is challenging is that even though Paul writes the words that are used, he immediately follows them with words arguing we have no business judging others since we are all guilty of sin.
You see, one of the challenges of this epistle is that Romans is a long argument in support of tolerance; of finding ways to bring disparate views together; to recognize that even though we may hold different ways of living in the world, we may approach God in different ways, we are all unified through the work, the life, the teaching and the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
But Paul does this by, in part, presenting one argument and then dismantling it in subsequent paragraphs. It’s a form of rhetoric he liked to use in his letters. These letters would be presented by his representative, standing in front of the gathered recipients and the whole letter would be presented. Not a few sections at a time over a period of several weeks. It is presented in whole, in part a dialogue between different voices with a final thesis.
When he writes this letter, Paul is planning to travel to Rome and meet the churches that already exist there. He did not start these churches. He has never met the people who are a part of them, but he is eager to visit them and share his message. He is well aware of some of the challenges they experience. He is aware of the tensions and the divisions that are a part of their community.
The original followers of Jesus; the disciples and original apostles are Jewish. They tend to argue that those who wish to follow Jesus must adopt Jewish practises. Follow the Jewish Law, their rituals and their dietary restrictions and other ways, such as circumcision.
Paul, himself a Jew, argue those rules are not necessary to show faith in the risen Christ. Paul and his followers are more focused on smoothing the way for a great many more people to be welcomed into the fold.
Paul is not trying to argue that an ancient and noble way of life no longer holds significance or importance. He is not trying to argue that Jewish members of the community should give up their customs and traditions. But he is also insistent that those ways of living in the world are not necessary for those who have come to find Jesus and the hope he offers to the world.
In short, this letter written to the churches in Rome is arguing that there is plenty of room for all in the tent Jesus provides for his community of followers.
Paul notes that there are typically two groups of faithful: those who strictly follow dietary restrictions and follow a liturgical calendar and other Jewish practises, and those who are not so tied to that religious tradition. The more powerful of these groups, the latter, label themselves strong and the others as weak. Paul uses that language but tries to do so in a way that insists that the weak are still part of the community and have much to offer.
It is noted in a number of writings that no self-respecting community in Rome would adopt the descriptor weak. That label would be placed upon them by more dominant factions.
Paul goes on to insist that neither should judge the other. Whether you are as he says, weak or strong, you should love one another and recognize the value and the humanity of all. The vision is the creation of a vibrant and caring community that finds its purpose and its being in the uniting power of the risen Christ. We may have our differences; and those differences may be, or are, significant, but we are not to judge or despise one another.
A few chapters earlier Paul uses the image of the human body to argue that all contribute to creating a healthy and active church.
There are challenges to Paul’s message. There are times when I find myself asking questions. There are times when it can be very tempting to judge when it is difficult not to. I’m not sure those examples are ones Paul was considering. But how tolerant; how non-judgmental are you expected to be when someone is questioning another person’s right to live? How do we not judge the assertion someone else is not worthy of the same love as others in the community? How do we avoid judging others who seem to so easily despise those whom you love?
These questions measured against the call to create a healthy and vibrant community that values all members and to avoid judgment and despising the other, does create a challenge. It is an aspiration that demands work and practise.
But I also believe we need to be careful that these words are not used to guilt one side or the other into being a doormat in the name of unity. All too often, those who are seen as weak are encouraged to be tolerant in the face of abuse, out of a need to foster a peaceable and united community of faith.
I personally have been urged to reschedule events or refrain from messages of affirmation; I have been urged to hold off on criticism of persecution and hatred; not here, but at community events elsewhere, in the interests of maintaining the peace of the body of Christ. For those who have long been persecuted or excluded, I can only imagine the pain of being told please don’t make those who have shunned you feel uncomfortable.
As I’ve reflected on this reading today, I have found myself thinking about those in positions of strength. Those who have enjoyed the comfort and the peace of the status quo are those who should truly be challenged by Paul’s words. Do not judge or despise. All of us must kneel before the judgment seat.
The following verses are not part of today’s reading but they’re pertinent.
Paul continues in verses 13 and 14:
“Let us therefore no longer pass judgement on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for any who thinks it unclean.”
God desires a world of peace and love. God envisions a world of mercy and compassion. When we give room for our imagination, we can witness that vision for ourselves. We can recognize examples of it playing out in our midst. And we are shown how we can work towards it. Judging and despising those amongst us does not get us there. We are bound, we are united by the love of Jesus, the Christ who defeated hatred and death. Jesus sees through our differences and loves us all. We are not favoured over our neighbour; and none of us is seen as unworthy of God’s love. We hold that hope of a new and just world. May we see it for how precious it is and nurture it into beacon we know it to be. Amen

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