February 27

Romans 3:21 – 31

Link to Bible Verses: Romans 3

Community: To what communities do you belong?

I am fascinated by the early years of the Church, by a group of people trying to find their way into a new way of being human…of (initially) being Jews differently, of being followers of Christ, and of (eventually) being Christians. They did this work together, as and in community, but a community that was changing in real time.

These early followers had repeated arguments about who could be part of this developing community and who was not welcome. They were redefining, reconceptualizing, and reorganizing community as they were forming community. And they were questioning, dismantling, and restructuring social categories, all with an eye toward God under Christ’s teachings. That is some serious and sacred work!

As we see, especially in Acts and Romans, this work was riddled with conflict and uncertainty. How could it not be? But they persisted. They prayed, fasted, listened deeply, and did the work…together.

In their journeys as documented in the New Testament, we have both invitations and models calling us to be intentional and brave about our communities. Let’s step into this difficult but sacred work of community!

Thank you to Linda Land-Closson for writing our 2026 Lenten Devotions.