At the end of his epistle to the Church of Rome (Romans 16:1-16), Paul goes through great pains to send individual greetings to a slew of people: Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, Epaenetus, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, Amplias, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, the household of Aristobulus, Herodion, the household of Narcissus, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas.
Not only is this a touching gesture and sign of Paul’s respect and love for these persons, but it harkens to one of the most important elements of a true pastor: a shepherd must know each of his flock by name!
Fr. John
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