First Day in Rome

Happy Independence Day, my dears!

Today we arrived in Rome with all of our luggage! We appreciate your continued prayers for our safety and learning!

Our trip started with a little bit of site seeing. We stopped at a temple to Caesar Augustus, walked by a stadium dedicated to Domitian, learned the story of St. Agnes of Agony, hushed while talking in the Parthenon, tossed coins in the Trevi Fountain, and discussed the Gospel at the Forum of Caesar Augustus.

It’s interesting how in the texts we’re reading and the culture we’re emerging ourselves in, Rome is influencing the rest of the world. Today, McDonalds is the only “restaurant” that gets advertisement on the street and Rod had to shout over a street musician playing their rendition of Justin Bieber’s newest remix. It’s been said many times that our century is the most like the first century than any century since. The reach of influence of the United States is alarming. Our country prides itself on the idea of freedom and how it isn’t free, but what kind of freedom are we celebrating? Our Freedom of Religion has been reduced to “Freedom to Worship” only on Sundays. Our Freedom of Speech only exists if you’re not hurting someone’s feelings. Through Christ, we have true freedom from the bonds of the world that hold us back.

In 9 B.C an Altar to Caesar Augustus was built. He calls himself lord of lords, son of god (Julius Caesar), savior, and redeemer. Magnificent cities filled with art and the amazing minds creating structures we are still impressed with today were bustling and craving anything and everything to worship. Five years later, Jesus is born in the middle of nowhere.

In Luke 6:20-26 we find the values of Jesus’s kingdom: need, weakness/poverty, suffering, and to be least. We also find the Roman values: power, prosperity, comfort, and fame. Justice in Hebrew means to make oneself weak to make someone else strong. Jesus Christ takes our weakness and gives us strength. When looking at these kingdoms, which would you rather be a part of? The one that is in ruins or one that is still living and growing and bustling today?

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

-Grace