Food for the journey: bite-sized mid-week nourishment

Re-read the Romans reading...
Romans 12:9-21
9   Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 
10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. 
11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; 
   do not claim to be wiser than you are.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written,
   Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’
20 No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;
   for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Think of Paul’s instructions to
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” 
or “Live in harmony with one another” 
or “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.” 
As you read the list Paul gives, reflect on what the church community, and wider community,
might be like if these instructions were followed.
Try and picture what this might look like.
As you do so, pray that this might come about.
As you go about your week, and see folk you know or don’t know
in your local community/ church, pray for them –
asking for God’s blessing on their lives, even as they go about their business.