Reflection for Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008

Romans 13:8-10

Two things about this passage are striking. The first is that, in verse 8, our obligation to love one another is presented as a debt. The version of the Our Father that one of us grew up with asks forgiveness of trespasses instead of debts. Both are words that speak of owing something, but the difference between the two - in light of this passage - is striking. A trespass is stepping over boundaries and into space in which one does not belong. Debts are obligations which have not yet been fulfilled, based on a relationship between people. To say that we trespass implies we are all surrounded by fences staking out what is ours and excluding all others; a debt means we've come to agreements with others and have a sense of commitment.

The second phrase that resonates in the passage is verse 10 - that love does no harm and thus fulfills the law. Anyone who's had a crush in middle school could take issue with the idea that love never hurts others. The love that Paul speaks of, though, is a reflection of God's love instead of our more earthly conception of love. Early Christians defined the difference with two separate words - agape for the former and eros for the latter. Agape is unconditional and reflects caring for our fellow man as a fellow child of God; it makes no demands on others. It does, however, require of us the commitment to see the face of God in all people - a debt we owe to all, so to speak.

A practical instance of putting this into action happened during our commute yesterday, when a fellow passenger in the subway started to feel dizzy and sick during the ride. Those around her showed her care and concern, and made sure she reached stop safely. All of us would feel good about ourselves - even a little superior - for having done a good deed for the day; according to this scripture, though, we should actually feel humbled because we were simply doing our duty in helping our neighbor. Agape means we should concentrate on thinking of others before we speak or act, particularly in these passing daily interactions with strangers.

by the Sandifords