Reading from the New Testament, Year A, Proper 23,
20th Sunday After Pentecost: Philippians 4:1-9
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.
–Philippians 4:8
Invocation
Creator of All, help us call to mind what is most worthy of our thoughts and attention as we journey through our days and years. May we never hesitate to praise all the wondrous things you have wrought.
Reflection
As a poet and avid reader of poetry, I have an affinity for many different styles and forms, but one that I return to often is the praise poem. In a world that finds so many things to criticize, the praise poem does the opposite: it uplifts. It is a cascading waterfall of admiration for a person, animal, place, deity, or even an ordinary object. There is truly no limit on what can be praised in verse. You can write an ode to your shoelaces if you want.
But sometimes it’s harder to find that feeling within, the one that still lauds and blesses, the one that still finds beauty or at least a pocket of stillness in the midst of global and personal suffering. I love Try to Praise the Mutilated World by Adam Zagajewski, because it reminds me that even through the constant news stream of disturbing events, there are good things like wild strawberries, music, and gentle light. We must not forget them.
I believe that is what the Apostle Paul was getting at in his letter to the community in Philippi, a church he clearly loved, as Philippians is the most joyful of all his epistles. His encouragement to focus on praiseworthy things becomes more poignant when you consider that he likely wrote this passage while imprisoned, facing a Roman trial and an uncertain future.
In the midst of our busy modern lives, how do we turn our thoughts intentionally to what is honorable, pure, pleasing, commendable, and excellent?
I don’t think we necessarily have to begin with something lofty. We can start right where we are with what we can see, hear, or feel. We can praise the soothing sounds of rain, the warmth of a good cup of tea, the bright colors of the leaves as they turn, the smile of a loved one, or the last butterflies on their annual migration. Beloved, let us pause to remember these simple, yet wonderful, things.
Benediction
Even in the midst of sorrow and fear, may our eyes be open to the beauty and truth of the eternal kingdom that lies within us. May we praise with our voices. May we praise with our art. May we praise with our work. May we praise with courageous and loving hearts. Amen.
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