“A peace that passes all understanding”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Sunday, October 15, 2023

Philippians 4:1-9 (Forward, p. 78) CEV p. 1230

I can readily understand what Euodia and Syntyche are going through and can sympathize with them. From reading between the lines, I surmise that they are overworked, harried and frantic. They probably wonder how they will get everything done within the ‘allotted’ time. They have been worked, as it were, ‘to the bones’, and are now getting on each other’s nerves and arguing unceasingly. Their world is anything but peaceful at the present.

Here the apostle Paul offers some helpful and rather pertinent suggestions as ways of helping out the situation:

a) Firstly, as an immediate remedy, he enlists someone to help them, an otherwise unknown gentleman named Syzygus. His very name means ‘true partner’ or ‘helper’, so hopefully that is indeed what he will be to these anxious and harried women.

b) Secondly, he offers a word of praise, a commendation, to these two women for their devoted and conscientious efforts: “

“These women have worked together with me and with Clement and with the others in spreading the good news. Their names are now written in the book of life” (verse 3b).

They are truly appreciated, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. (A bit of praise and recognition goes a long way.)

c) From here, Paul moves on to something that might seem rather odd to us in our world today—though perhaps not to all of us. He adds in a bit of perspective, namely that the Lord will soon be here. And so,

accordingly, they can be full of joy and rejoicing, and furthermore, be

gentle with each other. After all, the time and circumstances are not

such that they have to ‘get everything done’ by a certain deadline. All that they need to do is work diligently at the task and leave the rest to Him. There is a certain amount of leeway here.

d) And then, Paul goes on to something very practical and essential, namely prayer. (Sometimes today we may not think of prayer as being practical, but it is!) So, what does Paul say by way of prayer?

Two things:

-instead of worrying about things, simply take those concerns

and issues to God in prayer. And here, I am thinking that he

wants them to be specific about what they feel they need and

want.

-and, even before they receive the ‘results’ of their prayers, they

should give God thanks for the answered prayer. (It is this act

of faith in God, this thanksgiving, that actually ‘releases’ God to

work as He sees fit.

And as a result, they will receive a peace from God that passes all

understanding, a peace that like a watchman, a garrison trooper,

will keep watch over their thoughts and emotions and guard them.

e) And finally, they are to fill their minds only with the good things, to think only on these things, things that are true, pure, honourable, just, right, holy, friendly, pleasing, proper, and commendable, things that are worthwhile and worthy of praise. “And God, who gives peace, will be with you” (verse 9). They will truly have the peace that ‘passes all understanding’, even when their personal worlds are in turmoil.

Forward notes: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (verse 7).

“The exchange of peace is a moment of connection, a visible, tangible reminder that we do not worship alone. It can also be a time of reconciliation.

“Too often we regard the exchange of peace as ‘intermission’ in the service or a time to socialize with friends, but there is a much deeper significance to this part of the liturgy. As we transition from the Word to the Table within the service, we share the peace of God with one another, a sign of reconciliation and a way to prepare our hearts for Eucharist.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the hugs and handshakes of peace were replaced with head nods, fist bumps, or peace fingers. I missed the tactile aspect of exchanging the peace, but maybe the outward gestures are not as important as the inner desire to seek and share God’s peace.”

Moving Forward: “How do you view the exchange of the peace? Does it change how you approach others if you see it as a time for reconciliation with God and neighbour?”