ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 12, 2022
Paul started his correspondence with the church in Rome with the words: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…” To be set apart for something can have folks going in one of two directions. It can create arrogance or humility. I don’t think we’d be going out on a limb to suggest that Jesus would be looking for those who are humbled by this calling of set apartness. Throughout Christianity, there have been those who have understood being set apart as separating themselves completely from the world, to go into the desert and reject worldly things. This was not what Paul was seeking from his readers. He was set apart, yet this set apartness drove him deeper into the heart of the world, without taking on the attributes that would undermine the ideals of Jesus. Humility always helps keep one connected to the source and purpose of the calling, and thus the one called is able to truly be an agent of God’s limitless love for the world.
Set me apart, O God, through your gift of love for the sake of all those who yearn to know they are loved. Amen.
