By Ross Peterson-Veatch, interim vice president of academic affairs, academic dean
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
Imagine yourself sitting in jail, unsure of what will happen next, you start writing a letter to your friends. You start your letter saying “we should all be bolder and more courageous in proclaiming the Good News!” And you keep saying:
Rejoice!
Rejoice in spite of suffering!
Rejoice in serving others!
Rejoice all through your most anxious moments!
Do it, people, REJOICE!
Rejoice! I said it before, and I’ll say it again: Rejoice! Lay bare your most vulnerable self! Do not fear for the future! Bring everything to God with gratitude! God’s peace will guard you!
It’s hard to dispute the notion that we live in dangerous times. Terrorism abroad, police brutality and racial violence at home, mass shootings in schools and on campuses, domestic violence in your neighborhood – what is the world coming to?
And yet, Paul’s message to us is all is to rejoice. Not to ignore what’s going on, but to acknowledge it and know that God’s reconciling peace will prevail. This is the great gift Jesus brings… God’s peace.
As we spend our Advent season preparing to celebrate the great gift of God’s son, this season is for opening ourselves to God’s miracles, for proclaiming Good News and for rejoicing! Let it be so in our hearts and our homes. Rejoice, dear people, rejoice!
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.