Thursday, October 29, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Colossians 3:1–17
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NRSV)

Reflection
In each of my yoga classes, the instructor presses her hands together in front of her, bows, and greets us with the 4,000-year-old Indian salutation “Namaste,” and we, her students, do the same for her. This one simple, beautiful word has layers of deep meaning. When I say “Namaste” I am saying “I honor all that is in you.” I am letting go of my own personal agenda and acknowledging that we are connected, united with each other, united with all who came before and all who will come after.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, written about 2,000 years ago, he has the same message and even more as he writes, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Prayer
Namaste, I, and all I greet, are God’s chosen ones.
Namaste, I ask for compassion to guide my way.
Namaste, love binds us together in perfect harmony.
Namaste, allow the peace of Christ to rule in my heart.
Namaste, whatever I do, in word or deed, let it be in the name of Jesus.
Namaste, give thanks to God.
Namaste.

Written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music 

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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