Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again: Rejoice! Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.
By the third Sunday of Advent, we are often in the throes of Christmas pain. Pain? Well, maybe there are last-minute gifts we have not yet found. We might be disappointed because people we were hoping to join us on the Feast itself will not be able to come. Perhaps we think we should be saints because we have worked hard to listen to the Holy Spirit this Advent season. Maybe someone we love is sick or we are thinking of those who have died and will not be part of our usual festivities this year. Yes, pain. Then out comes the priest to say Mass in his pink, happy vestments. A pretty party-pink candle is being lit, and we might feel just a little more blue. When the lector reads today’s second reading, we ask “How? How can I rejoice always? Really??”
St. Paul, who is generally considered the author of the words of today’s reading, suffered greatly. Yet he knew the great peace and joy that comes to those who live for the Lord. Saul, born between 5 BC and 5 AD, was raised in a well-educated, pious Jewish family in Tarsus. Tarsus was one of the largest trade centers on the Mediterranean Sea in Asia Minor. He felt it his duty to persecute and kill Christians, including St. Stephen, you might recall. He felt this way since the new followers of Jesus seemed to have deserted the faith he had been taught to live and die for. But around 36 AD, he was on the road to Damascus when he experienced a vision of Jesus. Jesus said to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul asked, “Who are you?” Then he heard, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” The encounter left Saul blind for three days, so he had to be led into Damascus. There, he spent his time in prayer and penance. Jesus sent Ananias to restore Saul’s sight, and Saul – now Paul – was baptized.
St. Paul then spent the rest of his life preaching the Good News of Jesus. During this time, he had to keep journeying long distances. Robbers threatened travelers. Paul was beaten with rods. Three times he was shipwrecked and spent a night and day in the sea. He was thrown into jail. His message was often rejected. Sometimes those who did accept the message of faith lost their interest and fell away. Even some of his close friends deserted him. So, when he tells us to rejoice in the Lord always, to dismiss anxiety from our minds, and to pray with grateful hearts, St. Paul is not speaking as someone who had no reason to be anxious or sad or upset. Rather, he is speaking to us as someone who has chosen to put all his trust in the Lord. He is speaking as someone who, by putting his life in the hands of the Lord, knows a peace that is beyond human understanding. He holds out this truth to us, and we can choose joy and peace no matter what difficulties we face daily. Yes, light the joyful pink candle!
St. Paul is today’s Ornament of Grace.
OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS
Have you ever experienced great peace in the midst of suffering? How do you explain that?
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