Paul to Rome: Know Your Why

Paul to Rome: Know Your Why – We continue our journey through the writings of Paul with a look at the first part of his Letter to Rome. Carol tells us about an experience of a family that always has a cup of spoons on the dinner table, but nobody in the family knew why that was, even though they had done so for several generations. Then she cites the book, Start with Why by Simon Stinek, in which the author says when we are about to start something, we need to state why we’re doing that, and Carol indicates that the first part of the Letter to the Romans underscores Paul’s “why,” and he gives others, including us, the “why.” She then recalls the historical situation in the time of Paul’s letter, with deep tensions between the believers and others in Rome, and between Jewish Christians and gentile Christians. Paul is coming to see them, but he sends this letter in preparation. At its core, the message from Paul is that at the root of everything is faith that God is love. For us, faith is our willingness to realize that we are all sinners and can hear the call of God’s love. This faith can transform us and open us to see that God’s grace is for all people. For Paul, the “church” was not an institution but a vision of a different kind of kingdom wherein all are accepted and included.