Romans

Oh my dear sweet sisters. 

I had a whole conclusion planned – an outline of all the “take-away” points we covered this study. But, I’m not going to lie, that’s not what my heart is moving me to write. 

I always turn off the movie as the credits roll. Don’t even bat an eye. 

I mean I may keep them on if I really like the song, or if my husband and I have a bet to settle about the name of an unknown actor we couldn’t quite agree upon. 

I live a very cushy life. 

Warm bed. Approving husband. Adorable dog. Job that I love. 

When I was little, I was always confused when passages like this were read. My little kid-brain always – like clockwork – mistook the word Gentile for gentle.

A few years ago, there was a story that circulated social media. It was a positive one (for once). The setting was a high school state track championship; the act was one of selflessness and good character: In the final leg of her race, Meghan Vogel didn’t hesitate to stop and help a fellow runner who had collapsed just 20 meters from the finish line.

Pope Francis has caused quite an exciting stir among many people these last few years.

There are a few phrases that annoy me as much as this one... well, actually a little more than a few. But, there are few over-used-misinterpreted-watered-down phrases that annoy me more than this one. Yeah, that’s a little more accurate. To no fault of St. Paul, “love your neighbor as yourself” is one of them. 

Authority.

That’s a fun word. 

Not because of how it rolls off the tongue or it’s meaning, but because of its ability to make so many people uncomfortable. 

Oooohhhh… here is where it gets good. The crescendo, the rising action, the bridge of the song. St. Paul is about to lay the smack down in the most wonderful of ways. 

Like clockwork, the feeling creeps up on me: I can’t believe I’ve sinned again. Seriously, God do you ever get tired of picking me up over and over again? 

I remember a pretty comedic Confession experience from college. I was probably a Sophomore and my experience with face-to-face Confessions was still in the “newbie” category.

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” 

You could have me fooled that this line was written 2,000 years ago. For, surely it could’ve been written yesterday. 

Okay, can we make a promise? You cannot tell my husband the following (I fear it will inflate his pride): He is usually right when it comes to making logical decisions, and I’m usually just a big bawl of emotions (pun intended). Usually, this is evidenced when sweets are involved. (I apologize for fulfilling so many stereotypes already, but seriously, this is so true.) 

“… as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”

Every so often, a new song comes on the radio that really surprises me. Not because of its incredible vocals or instrumentals, or because of its creative lyrics, but because it speaks truth in such a lost culture. One song of this sort came on the radio a few years ago, sung by Katy Perry. These were the lyrics that made my jaw drop to the floor:

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools…” 

Since college, I’ve always enjoyed to run. I’m one of those crazy people that consider a few miles as stress-free relaxation. (Unlike my husband who calls it “every other sport’s punishment.”) 

It was one a.m. and traffic was scarce on Highway 22. I was dozing in and out of sleep but my nerves didn’t waver. We were on our way to Pittsburgh to pray in front of a hospital that performs abortions, and as a part of the 40-days for life campaign we were on our way to take the 2am shift. 

“To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints.”

It happened. I tried to stifle the laugh, but it was impossible. She was just too funny, too sassy, too real… St. Thérèse of Lisieux had literally made me laugh out loud in adoration. How embarrassingly awesome.