Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Romans 16:13
A Christian who helps to place orphans in homes tells about a little Russian boy named
Ivan. He's a lovable child with a shock of brown hair falling over his face. When he
learned that he might be able to leave the orphanage, he said, "Please, will you find
me a mother?"
Fathers are important too, but there are times when nothing but a mother's touch will do.
Even grown men need it.
The apostle Paul, probably in his fifties, sent special greetings to a fellow believer in
Rome named Rufus. Interestingly, he added greetings to "his mother and mine"
(Romans 16:13). Why would he refer to her in this way?
During his years of ministry, Paul faced many hardships (2 Corinthians 6:4-10). Could it
be that Rufus had brought a weary and tired apostle to his house, where Paul received from
the mother of Rufus comforting words, a fresh garment, and a nourishing meal? Did Paul
receive from her the empathy and tenderness that only a mother can give? We don't know
this for sure, but it could explain his unusual greeting in today's text.
I believe that God has given mothers a unique capacity for showing gentleness and
compassion, and for influencing the spiritual direction of children. Let's be thankful for
our mothers and for those who have been like a mother to us.
-HVL
God has conferred on motherhood
A true nobility,
And she who gladly fills that role
Can shape man's destiny.
-DJD
Nothing moves a child like a mother's touch.