But as I was thinking of these things, to reconcile them with
Thanksgiving, the words of St. Paul in today's Second Reading seemed to
address how we should approach all these paradoxes to a peaceful heart on
Thanksgiving. Remember, Paul is writing these words from prison – his very life
hangs in the balance. Yet out of this ominous darkness, he sends this remedy,
this recipe for dealing with darkness. Listen again to his words;
Brothers and sisters: Do not worry
about anything,
but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to
God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Worry leading to panic, leading to loss of peace cannot lead to
solutions to the darkness. So how then should we deal with the threats that
surround us and trouble us? Paul goes on to offer this thanksgiving recipe:
Whatever
is true: “only Truth can make you free” – Jesus’ words. We must find truth
and listen for those voices who speak real truth, not fake truth.
Whatever
is honourable: look to those who rise above the chaos, those who’s words and
deeds have bourn the test of time; who by their legacy of goodness have given
us an example to follow.
Whatever
is just: which works that people undertake bring suffering, which bring
peace? Blessed are the peacemakers.
Whatever
is pure: can a bad tree produce good fruit - by their fruits you know
them.
Whatever
is pleasing, whatever is commendable: Blessed are they who hunger and
thirst for righteousness - Blessed are the merciful - Blessed are the pure of
heart -
Finally Paul concludes:
If there
is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise: Think
about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me, and the God of
peace will be with you.
There will be many gatherings this weekend, of family and friends.
And no doubt, there will be many special recipes shared. May this recipe of St.
Paul’s be one of them.
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Voices is a resource for personal prayer and devotion from a Catholic perspective - especially for those beginning the practice of meditative prayer.
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Sunday 8 October 2017
Thanksgiving 2017 & the Twenty-seventh Sunday
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