May 3, 2020

“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, persevering in prayer.”  Romans 12:12

“What are you doing during these times?”  That seems to be a frequently asked question.   Common answers include “Getting outside”, “Catching up with house projects”, and “Binge-watching Netflix.”  How would our lives be different if we did what St. Paul is suggesting in the above passage?  How would things change not only for us but others if we rejoiced in hope, were patient in tribulation and persevered in prayer, not only during pandemics but perpetually?

That’s what I’m pondering this morning . . .   I’m not doing so for the purpose of making me feel guilty for falling far short of all three.  Nor am I using it to motivate me to be more dedicated, devoted or diligent to these principals.  I’m simply considering how the Spirit may be working in what might be a more efficient and effective way, were that possible, in others as well as myself as one employs these positive principals.

This passage prompts many questions, such as:

“What does it mean to rejoice in hope, and what specifically does it look like in life?” 

“How can one foster patience in tribulation, which more commonly causes fear and anguish and anything BUT patience?”

“How can I persevere more in prayer?  What would that kind of prayerful practice look like in a practical sense?

It also occurs to me as I ponder this passage that the verbs can be substituted for one another without violating the intention of the text and adding an even more robust meaning.  So for example one could be patient in hope, persevere in tribulation and rejoice in prayer.  Or one could persevere in hope, rejoice in tribulation and be patient in prayer.  Something to think about. 

The best example of this that I can think of is Jesus, obviously, especially as he is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  In His hour of trial He is obviously facing tribulation as he prayers, but I believe He is also filled with hope—not for Himself necessarily, but for others and the world.  Jesus exemplifies these three conditions of the spirit, and fulfills the principals set forth in this passage for all the times we fall short! 

One last thought I’d like to share:  Not only is this passage a prescription for providing meaning, purpose and positive results to one’s mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, it also prompts us to use these practices to look outside of ourselves.  In the verse that follows this one St. Paul encourages his readers to look out for the good of others and practice hospitality.  It is a powerful reminder that the spiritual life is not intended to be a mere practice in contemplative naval-gazing, but is for the purpose of providing the impetus to be active in the life of others and the world.   The love of God that is formed and refined in hope, tribulation and prayer not only builds up, but builds out so that all may benefit.