11. Laments of Cosmic Groaning in The Spirit - Rom. 8.12-28 - Fr. Michael Flowers 08.11.24

St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - weekly talks

Mark’s account of Jesus in Gethsemane, 14:32-42, vividly illustrates what the heart of Romans 8 is getting at. In fact, the only time Jesus uses the Aramaic, Abba, Father, is in Mark 14:36. Paul, in Romans 8:15, links these two scenes together as Jesus imprints a vocational pattern of lament for the state of the world, in labor pains, until His final return. The whole created order groans for the final consummation of God's Kingdom coming to earth. Not only the whole world, but we ourselves groan as we wait eagerly for the restoration of all things. Likewise, the Spirit groans with inarticulation sounds beyond words for the same end. Our vocation of groaning is a lament to be continued until the final eschaton of all things made new. We suffer with him in groaning laments in the Spirit. Romans 8:28, in context, provides a synergy, a participation in the Spirit as we intercede, as we lament, we find ourselves in union with God in our sufferings. Two excellent translations of Romans 8:28: NT Wright We know, in fact, that God works all things together for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. RSV ‘In everything God works for good with those who love him.’ God is the subject here, not all things. God works with us who love him. The Sovereign Lord works all things together with us, i.e, in us, who love God. He is with us in our sufferings. He helps us in our weaknesses of knowing how to pray as we ought. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Amen.