Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary God Pause - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 11 June 2014 - Read 2 Corinthians 13:11-13World English Bible (WEB)
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.(World English Bible)
Based on my years of experience working with children and youth, these words from the end of 2 Corinthians would seem unattainable. Live at peace with one another? Agree with one another? Greet each other with a holy kiss? Paul must never have taught 3- to 5-year-olds, hosted a lock-in for confirmation students, or taken teenagers on a summer mission trip. Paul must never have sat through a congregational meeting dealing with the annual budget. But thanks be to God, the grace of the Lord Jesus sustains us when 5-year-olds are fighting over toys or attention. The love of God fills us when confirmation students appear to be ignoring us, or when teenagers can't see past their hormones. And at the end of a contentious congregational meeting, there is still the comfort of the communion of saints and the presence of the Holy Spirit among those who are gathered.
Sustaining God, may we see past the actions that infuriate us to the Spirit that dwells in us as we gather in your name. Amen.
Michelle Collins
Director of Faith Formation, Advent Lutheran Church, Melbourne, Fla.
Master of Arts , 2007
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.(New Revised Standard Version)
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