May the mumbling commence!
It is Memorial Day Weekend – a time to remember those who have died. It is also Sunday, the Lord’s Day – a weekly time to set aside to meditate on God. How best can we spend this doubly blessed day? Read the Apostle Paul’s words to the Philippian church from chapter four (NRSV):
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, 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. (Verses 8-9)
Let us purge from our minds the violent and retributive ways of the world around us. Let us purge both the cynicism and the escapism of the world around us. Let us purge our need to tear someone down in order to build ourselves up.
Instead, let us seek things that are true and honorable and just. Let us seek to be pure and pleasing – trying to find things in one another to commend. Yes, find these things of excellence and things worthy of praise in our Christian brothers and sisters. Find them and give voice to them.
When we think about such things, goodness will grow in our hearts. When we embrace these things together with the Spirit of God, good things will happen. Whatever we learn from the spiritually mature in our midst, let us put it into practice. And God’s peace will be among us.
Think about this question: Who in my life has been a spiritual father or mother to me – like Paul was to the Philippian Church? Identify people like this in your life. Seek to follow their example.
And I know that Memorial Day is to remember those who have died; but, if your spiritual parent is still living, find some way to let them know what she or he means to you. If, alas, your spiritual parent is not living, remember them anyway. Remember both you living and dead spiritual parents by striving to live like a spiritual parent for those who are spiritually younger than you.
Let us remember these things of this Memorial Day Sunday!
Enough mumbling for now…
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