Romans 8:18
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.
This is the first year that I’ve paired a song with each day’s reflections. Today, I’m especially taken with how the song lyrics converse with the biblical text. This conversation between song and scripture invites us to consider not only our own sufferings in this present time but the suffering of Mary as she waited to give birth to Jesus.
In these long, last days
She has borne creation’s Crown;
Heavy, sore, afraid,
The weight of love is bearing down.
I can remember those pregnant days when the weight of love was bearing down. Those BIG babies that I gave birth to pressed on all sorts of things within me! But mainly they pressed on my heart.
They still do.
Just a few verses later in Romans, Paul writes, We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now.
The sufferings of this present time are the pains of labor. The weight of love bears down on all creation–stretching, softening, expanding, burning– until the body finally makes way for the birth of God’s glory.
We catch newborn justice in trembling arms and name the baby Peace.
We live for that child. We live through that child.
Love is born–God’s glory is revealed –and we live.
Come, Jesus, come. The labor is exhausting. We are afraid. You are the glory of God for a world in need. Come to birth among us. Amen.
Today’s accompanying song is In These Long, Last Days by Sister SinJin.