Romans 12:1-8
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Reflection
“Transformed by the renewing of our minds”. Such a great statement of how our faith inspires and ignites us to innovative and inspiring change! Revitalisation through the Pentecost Spirit; renewal of our thinking and perceptions through the Way of Jesus; and reconsidering our world view through God’s love, all draw us into active participation in God’s realm. Our faith is both individualistic and also calls us to be communal. It requires daily commitment, deep listening, heartfelt loving, courageous actions, as we participate in the vital expression of God ‘s love that we are called to live out each day.
Paul reminds us to celebrate our unity as God’s people that overcomes our diverse expressions of faith by reframing our uniqueness as part of the whole people of God. Our unity in our diversity is something to cherish and honour. This grace of inclusion and belonging is something we forget to celebrate all too often.
foresight, encouragement, leadership, teaching, ministry, compassion and joyfulness?
Share your love by ‘seeing’ the other
and ‘naming’ their gracious gift they share in our faithful community.
Transform our faith filled people this week!
Prayers
For the times where we do not see the other as a child of God or love them in God’s Way
Renewing my commitment to faith
My God of unity,
I offer your myself in all who I am, through all that I do, in every moment of each day.
Ignite my heart so that it is filled with your warming unconditional love.
Calm my being so that I offer your peace filled compassion.
Transform my thinking, so that I may not assume what I do not know.
Empower my actions, so that I walk on your just and ethical path.
Transform and renew me so that I discern your will,
In humility, I pray. Amen
Renewing my commitment to unity
Healing Spirit,
Fill our hearts with love for those who are unloved, forgotten, disposed, alone.
Let your flame of fiery presence melt the hearts chilled with fear and distrust.
Sprout new seeds of hope in the desert places of dusty souls.
Cool the fierce hate that scars thoughts of the powerful.
Fill empty vessels of self-worth with purpose to serve victims and vulnerable.
Voice the silent cries of those who are spent, and can no longer manage alone.
Silent prayer for your local community migrants and refugees, their needs and support
Healing Spirit, hear our prayers.
Healing Spirit, we lift them up to you.
Silent prayer for the state-wide communities of migrants and refugees, to be alert and responsive to the critical care and need, for the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing of those who come with such practical need and who are often emotionally spent.
Healing Spirit, hear our prayers.
Healing Spirit, we lift them up to you.
Silent prayer for the national bodies assisting migrants and refugees, Government programs and decisions that are life changing for people who have already suffered much.h
Healing Spirit, hear our prayers.
Healing Spirit, we lift them up to you.
Silent prayer for our country’s public voice and action for migrants and refugees across the world.
Healing Spirit, hear our prayers.
Healing Spirit, we lift them up to you.
Inflame our hearts with your unconditional love,
That our active presence makes a difference in changing values,
Approach, decisions and the living reality for these, our sisters and brothers. Amen
This reflection & prayers may be shared as long as the original writer is credited.