Made of connection

Lily Cathcart March 07, 2024 5 5

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Romans 16: 1-16 (NRSVA)

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, 4 and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Have you ever had to plan a dinner party or get-together with people who don’t yet know each other? It can be stressful. Who might have something to talk about together who definitely would not, which temperaments might benefit each other and allow new connections to be made over the table?

I was grateful that slightly more observant eyes than my own were beside me when I had to undertake this task.

In today’s reading from Romans 16 we see networks at work, people who know people, who have shared bread with people. In the book of Esther too a lot relies on the networks Esther is able to build around her and the ones she has formed before she entered the palace too.

Where are your networks? The chance acquaintances, the careful seating plans, the old friends whose first meeting you no longer remember? The people you know through shared passions or responsibilities?

Whether they are many or few, old or new, in person or online, take some time today to think about how much they bring into your life and how you can strengthen and grow them.

Prayer:

Dear God of connections,

How amazing that, through the Trinity, you are made of connection

Thank you that you teach us to connect everyday

Please help us to build healthy lasting connections in our lives

Connect with us today and everyday

Amen