"Rejoice"

An Advent 3 reflection on Philippians 4:4-7 born out of repeated encounters with unconscious, veiled, subtle and outright discrimination.



By Magdalena I. García

Rejoice in the Lord always…
Maybe it’s a Pauline slip.
How about renounce instead?
It fits. Two syllables. Starts with the same letter.

Here is something we could be glad about…
Renounce bigotry.
Renounce hypocrisy.
Renounce insensitivity.

again I will say, Rejoice…
Maybe it’s a translation slip.
How about reject instead?
It fits. Two syllables. Starts with the same letter.

Here is something we could take delight in…
Reject isolation.
Reject segregation.
Reject discrimination.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone…
Is it gentleness as in Psalm 137?
Deafening silence.
Eyes wide shut.
Nasty politeness.
Gentle blow.

Or is it gentleness as in Luke 2?
Holy pilgrims.
Heavenly manger.
Humble Savior.
Hospitable kingdom.

the Lord is near…
Near everyone?
Near the stable and the inn?
Near the Wise Magi and the Astute King?
Near the complacent and the discontent?

Omnipresent God,
truly you are near to all.
Your light shines
through the darkness of despair
bringing hope.
Your light shines
through the thickness of apathy
bringing empathy.
This is truly good news!
Now we can rejoice!

Do not worry about anything…
Not the displacement of people?
Not the killing of innocent children?
Not the persecution of harmless refugees?

but in everything by prayer and supplication…
This is humble yet earnest asking.
Fervent, intent, and purposeful asking.
Determined, industrious, and ambitious asking.
Resolute, serious, and firm asking.

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…
Requests? Thanks for asking.
We can surely come up with a list.

Affordable housing.
Basic rights.
Care for God’s creation.
Dignity for all human beings.
Equal protection under the law.
Fair wages.
Funding for education.
Greening of our lives.
Hunger for justice.
Immigration reform.
Job security.
Kaleidoscope church.
Learning to live with less.
Meaningful employment.
Non-discriminatory practices.
Organic food, faith and life.
Peace on Earth.
Safe working conditions.
Renewable sources of energy.
Solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.
Tolerance for differences.
Universal healthcare.
Value life.
Welcome everyone.
Xenophobia banned.
Yankees go home.
Zero intolerance.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…
God’s peace…
So much more than the absence of conflict or war.

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Guard in Christ.
Not in blatant denial.
Not in financial security.
Not in military might.

Rejoice…

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