Third Sunday of Advent - Gentleness

Lectionary Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Today's reading has a lot of good advice but at times may be daunting.  There are certainly situations when it is difficult to "rejoice always" and I am also reminded by the words of the teacher from Ecclesiastes who also tells us that some circumstances call for weeping and mourning.

But I must also ask myself if this becomes a cop out to disregard the advice entirely.  If it isn't possible all the time, then I don't have to think about what it means in the in-between times.

Sometimes the size of our joy can be intimidating

Or do I?

What really stands out to me from our passage is verse 19 which states, "Do not quench the Spirit."  How often do we rain on the parade with our attitude?  I've encountered energy-vampires over the years who tend to turn an eye toward whatever negative possibilities might arise. 

To rejoice always doesn't mean to be over-the-top and insensitive to people who are struggling.  But rather, I see it as operating with a gentleness that allows the Holy Spirit to lift up others through our actions.  Rather than being irritatingly optimistic, what would it mean to tip the balance of a situation toward good cheer?  This often requires a gentle touch which may take some practice for some of us!

Prayer: Gentle Spirit, help us to remain in an attitude of prayer that surrounds us, lifts us, encourages us, and leads us toward the words that may be the most helpful in any situation.  And as we help raise the general mood in the room, let us rejoice as we wait!  We pray this in the name of the Christ who calls us to accountability even for our outlook.  Amen.

 

Photo by This Year's Love via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.