On Sunday evening, November 28, Grace joined St. Mary’s Basilica, the closest Roman Catholic parish, for their evening Advent Vespers. Pastor Sarah preached.
Day of the Church Year: 1st Sunday in Advent
Scripture Passage: Philippians 4:4-8
Tonight, we hear the Apostle Paul’s words to the Christians in Philippi, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” These are bold words, for Paul, for the Philippians, for us. Paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the Philippians, and the Philippians, though Roman citizens, still risked persecution for their identity as Jesus-followers. We, in this second year of pandemic, live in the midst of what feels like a topsy-turvy world: a strange labor market, rising inflation, a migrant crisis, escalating climate change, surging Covid-19 case numbers, and division within our country, our workplaces, our families. Paul’s bold words invite us not to worry, to bring our requests to God in prayer, to do so with thanksgiving. If we read the rest of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we see he does not dismiss the real-life difficulties of his day. He acknowledges illness, imprisonment, division, and still, he encourages the Philippians: do not worry, but let your requests be made known to God with thanksgiving.
When we live in the muck such as the whole world is in this moment on November 28, 2021, it is tempting to think that, when things get back to normal, we won’t worry and we will once again practice gratitude. When we are grieving the loss of a loved one, it is tempting to think that, when we get over it and move on, we won’t worry and will once again be grateful. When we or a beloved family member is suddenly ill, it is tempting to think that, when we get better, we won’t worry and will once again be thankful. When we are feeling off balance and out of sorts for a whole variety of reasons, it is tempting to think that, when we get back on track, we won’t worry and will return to a life of thanksgiving before God. Friends, this, right now, is life. This is not a moment out of time but life itself. If we wait until life returns to “normal,” until we can get our bearings, until some pre-determined moment when all will be well again in order to let go and live with gratitude, we will be waiting a long time. This, right now, is the moment of thanksgiving. In the mess, in the muck, in all that is wrong.
This past Wednesday evening, people of faith from different traditions gathered at Grace to give thanks to God at a community Thanksgiving Eve worship. During worship, those who gathered were invited to write down a person or opportunity or blessing for which they were grateful. In the mess, in the muck, in all that is wrong, this is what some of those who gathered wrote:
I am grateful that my son survived his terrible accident and that he has found a partner.
Families: both church and our own
new opportunities
family and friends, health, Grace Lutheran Church, a dear one’s sobriety
for everyone who has stood by me thru everything
God’s kindness through others
for all the opportunities I have
challenging and meaningful work
the cool night air and doors open for all God’s beloved
our freedom, our healthcare experts, handling life on life’s terms
grateful for my family, my faith, my life
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve
beloved community
For what do you give thanks to God? I invite you to offer up silent thanks now.
In the mess, in the muck, in all that is wrong, do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The Apostle Paul concludes: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God! Amen.