Rejoice in the Lord Always

Text: Philippians 3:17-4:7

Reflection and Question: Paul gets down to the nitty-gritty of division within the Philippian church in chastising those whose “god is the belly,” and in calling out Euodia and Syntyche specifically to settle their differences. Then Paul concludes this section of the letter with words he may have used many times as a preacher to punctuate his thought. Certainly, Christians ever since have drawn from these words the essence of discipleship: rejoice in the Lord always, let your gentleness be known to everyone, let your requests be made known to God. In the course of a day, how do you rejoice in the Lord and let your gentleness be known?

Prayer: Most loving Holy Spirit, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, we ask that the peace of God which passes all understanding may guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, in whose blessed name we pray. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).