Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The above three verses from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians have been one of the anchor passages of my life and my ministry.
There’s a fourth element I add from Paul’s letter to the Philippians—Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
It is human tendency to worry, to get ourselves stressed out, and frustrated. But none of that is going to solve anything. I would encourage you to make these words a daily practice of your life as well.
We may feel worn out by the needs of the world crying out from every corner of the globe: poverty, war, famine, genocide, disaster, homelessness, greed, and injustice; the political division of our nation. And we are never too far removed from a threat of a terrorist attack.
How do we begin to meet these overwhelming needs? Since we are not God, we cannot fix everything. We can only do what we are called to do by the Spirit.
The practice of rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving, helps us to develop an attitude of grace. Practicing a life of prayer “without ceasing” changes inconceivably the way we experience and interact with others.
How do we begin to meet these overwhelming needs? Since we are not God, we cannot fix everything.
Joy comes from a close and intimate relationship with God, who loves us enough to come to us in Jesus Christ, born in a stable reserved for animals. This is the joy that walks right up to trouble. This is the joy that is as present in the night as in the day. This is a joy undisturbed, and unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart. Happiness may be in things, but joy is in us.
Do not despise the words of the prophets, St. Paul reminds us. This Advent, as always, may we be filled with their passion for justice and peace and with their courage and fearlessness as we too seek to witness to the Light.
Let us pray.
O heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
