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The Spiritual Waiting Room

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Life     Death

Find Joy In Suffering

Christ Will Be Magnified

Unity

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Philippians 1:20c

Christ will be magnified in my body.

Reflection

How many choices do you make each day?

Isn't it amazing when you think about all of the decisions that you face daily?

When should I get up?

What should I wear?

What should I have for breakfast?

And that is just the start of your day!

In our reading from Philippians, Paul is facing a very difficult decision. He is writing from prison and knows that he could be facing death. This Good News that he has been preaching has been found to be dangerous by some of those in positions of power in the Roman Empire.

He could take the easy way out and just deny the Good News and stop talking about Jesus. If he is quiet and goes along with the official religion of the Empire and gives worship to the Emperor, his life will be spared and his suffering will be over.

That is not for Paul. He has found joy in the Gospel and true happiness in giving his life to Jesus. For Paul to live is to be one with Christ. He cannot deny the Gospel. Jesus has changed his life forever. He is even able to find joy in his suffering in prison because he knows that he is not alone. Jesus is with him every moment. 

His goal in all his choices is a simple one: how can my choice magnify Jesus and give Him the praise and the thanks that Jesus deserves. His choices are never about Paul. They are all centered in Jesus.

These choices lead Paul to become one with Jesus and through this unity one also with all the people he encounters. He is able to reach out to many of the communities of faith that he initiated through the power of the Holy Spirit. He writes letters from jail and receives visitors while imprisoned. 

His words can echo in our hearts and lives today. As we make our many choices each day, we have opportunities to follow Jesus by sharing the Love He gives us each day with the people we meet. 

Paul was able to do that while he was in prison. Nothing stopped him because he wanted to magnify Jesus. 

The smile you share with a stranger.

The food you give to the hungry.

The welcome you give to the immigrant.

The comfort you bring to the sick.

Those everyday choices that you and I make help the Gospel to come alive in our day and time.

Keep on choosing to magnify Christ!

1. Why do some people consider the Gospel to be dangerous?

2. Do you find joy in the Gospel as Paul did?

3. Is it really possible to find joy in suffering?

4. What is the goal of all the choices that you make each day?

5. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John McNamara)