Thursday, November 24, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Philippians 2:1–11

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)

The King James Version is used here in place of the New Revised Standard Version because the former translates the Greek word doulos as “servant” instead of “slave.”

Reflection

I’ve got to say, taking Paul’s requests of the Philippians and asking them of myself is feeling particularly hard for me to do in this moment. Today is Thanksgiving, a day when I should be practicing gratitude, but I am finding it difficult to do so as it is so much easier for me to ruminate on sadness, grief, anger, and a whole host of other emotions instead.

But perhaps that is why I need to meditate on this passage. As I read and reread these words, I’m drawn to “love,” “fellowship,” and “joy.” When I think about these three words, I’m reminded of a friend of mine from book club who has made gratitude an intentional practice this year. Every so often in our group chat, she rattles off a list of what she’s grateful for as a way to focus less on the negative and more on the positive. Even though her line of work throws her into the depths of injustice, she somehow maintains a spirit of joy that is contagious. I think maybe that’s a practice I should take up—not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.

Prayer

Dear God, instill in me a spirit of joy and gratitude. Make me likeminded with Christ and with those around me, looking not to my own interests, but to the interests of others. Amen.

Written by Katrina Buchanan, Editorial Associate

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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