Cypress Lake United Methodist Church

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

Romans 16:13

This verse is one that scholars have struggled with over the centuries. The verse can be taken two ways. It could mean that Paul had two distinct women in mind--the mother of Rufus and his own personal mother. Or, he could be saying: "I salute Rufus and his mother, who is like a mother to me." If that is what he meant, and that is what most Biblical scholars think that he meant, then it raises some interesting speculation. When and where did Paul meet Rufus' mother? Did she nurse him through some serious illness?

Did she receive him into her home for an extended stay during his missionary journeys? How did this woman and Paul form such a close bond that he refers to her fondly as being like his mother?

Mark tells us that Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried Jesus cross, had two sons: Alexander and Rufus. Was this the same Rufus to whom Paul was speaking? If that is true, his mother would be Simon of Syrene's wife. No one knows for sure who this remarkable woman was who served as a mother figure for the great Paul, but obviously this mother made a difference in his life. Although he is sometimes not credited for it, Paul really speaks very highly of women in his letters.  One wonders how this woman may have influenced him.

All mothers make a difference.  This weekend we commend thost mothers who have dedicated their lives to Christ and who have influenced their children, their grand-children, and many others for good.

Thank you father for the many ways your love reaches into my life.