Philippians 4:8 – The Noontimes

Isaiah 66:18-24: God Sets a Sign

Isaiah 66:18-24: God Sets a Sign

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Witten on March 4 and posted today as a Favorite . . .

For I know their works and their thoughts . . .

Isaiah reminds us that God sees all; there are no secrets. Just a few days ago we heard the words of Jesus as recorded by Luke telling us that what is whispered in the dark will come to light. It is impossible to hide from God for God is omniscient and all-knowing.

And I am coming to gather all the nations and tongues . . .

Isaiah reminds us that God is all powerful; God can do all things. Nothing is impossible for God. Jesus tells us that what is impossible with men is possible for God. (Luke 18:27, Mark 10:27, Matthew 19:26) It is impossible to conquer God who is omnipotent and eternal.

And they shall come and shall see my glory . . .

Isaiah reminds us that God is awesome; in the Old Testament we are told to fear, or to stand in awe of God for this reason. Jesus tells us that once we walk in God’s way, nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20) that God’s glory is our glory. This is the measure of God’s might and love. It is impossible for God to be or do evil for our compassionate God is goodness itself.

And I will set a sign among them.

Isaiah reminds us that God knows the faithful just as the faithful know God. Jesus tells the Father that he has come to gather in those faithful. When we bear witness to evil, we also bear the sign of God on our foreheads. It is impossible for God to forget or neglect us for God is love itself.

Isaiah lived at a time of deep and corrosive corruption and he understood the damage this kind of erosion has on people. He warned against the decay and fire that envelops those who neglect God’s way. His words continue to instruct us today. Jesus too, teaches us the lessons we need to know in order to be numbered in those who know and recognize God with ease.

St. Paul writes to the people of Philippi (4:8) one of the simplest yet truest and most beautiful descriptions of Christian living. Once we take these words in and own them, we have no need to fear the dire consequences we see in Isaiah today. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. If we can say that we seek truth, purity, and beauty, if we act in honor and justice, if we live grace-filled days, we need not fear the harvester’s sword.

God has set a sign among us. That sign is Christ. We need not fear Isaiah’s predictions when we respond to God’s call as St. Paul urges. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious . . . this is excellence . . . this is worthy of praise . . . this is worthy of our time . . . this is God among us . . . this is Christ. Amen.

A re-post from August 18, 2011.

Image from: http://omgzi.blogspot.com/2010/10/ichthys-sign-of-fish.html

September 10, 2025

do not be afraid, God’s sign, harvesting sword, Jesus, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, Philippians 4:8

Lamentations 2:19-22: Rising Up

Lamentations 2:19-22: Rising Up

Sunday, June 2, 2024

The Book of Lamentations is dark and moody, full of wrath and anger. The coming of Christ is the only antidote against such deep grief. Our own petition for goodness and wholeness brings us into union with this Messiah, Christ. Each day, each night we have the choice before us. We can either try to solve the problems that confront us on our own, or we can Rise up, shrill in the night to beat against heaven’s gate, asking God for mercy and justice for ourselves, for our loved ones, for our enemies. This is what best combats the ugliness we read about today.

In order that we not consumed by this ugly anger that would compel us into further depths, we might look at the opposite of rage-filled thinking. We take on a thinking that rejects rumor, derision, the stirring up of hate and falsehood. Psalm 101:1-7 is part of the Morning Prayer in MAGNIFICAT today. The citation before the prayer follows: Every day offers a choice: what sort of reading, what sort of TV, what sort of conversation, what sort of friends will we choose to welcome into our home? And so we sing with the psalmist: My song is about loyalty and justice, and I sing it to you, O Lord.

Another citation from the Morning Prayer is Philippians 4:8: Whatever is true, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

We know the world is made of diverse creatures and creations that bring us sorrow and joy, diverse conditions that create havoc and love. In order to dispel the dark clouds of today’s lamentation, we might continue.

Whatever is evil, whatever is deceitful, whatever is lie . . . rise up, shrill in the night against the darkness.

Whatever is good, whatever is holy, whatever unites and calls home . . . rise up grateful, in praise of the light.

Whatever is Christ, whatever is spirit, whatever is life-giving . . . rise up joyful, singing with expectation of God’s mercy and justice.

In all circumstances, dark or light, rise up singing with the Lord.

My song is about loyalty and justice, and I sing it to you, O Lord.

Images from: http://thejoysofbeingcatholic.blogspot.com/2016_07_20_archive.html

Adapted from a Favorite written on February 24, 2009.

Cameron, Peter John, Rev., ed. “Mini-Reflection.” MAGNIFICAT. 24 February 2009. Print.

June 2, 2024

anger, dark versus light, God’s love, God’s mercy and justice, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 101:1-7

Philippians 3:12-16: God’s Upward Calling

Philippians 3:12-16: God’s Upward Calling

Monday, March 4, 2019

It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus]. Paul always insists that our perfection lies not in that we live without error, but rather that we persist in pursuing wisdom and obeying God.

I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus. Paul always explains that our lives are nothing if they are not centered in Christ and lived through Christ. And Paul remains God’s humble servant as he empties himself of self in order to make room for the Spirit to dwell within.

Paul does not worry about how to be perfect for when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. (1 Corinthians 13:10).

Paul exhorts others to persist in this noble pursuit, to fight the good fight, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. (1 Timothy 6:11-12)

Paul explains that although we are in the flesh we do not battle in the flesh, for the weapons of our battle are not of the flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Paul reminds us that whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

When I was a child I remember the days that ran up to Christmas as ones that were full of mystery and quiet excitement. Did Mother hide the presents in a place I might stumble upon as my sister had done? Would the surprises in store for us on Christmas Eve be spoiled by running ahead too quickly or with the wrong intention? Did Santa really think that I might be old enough to appreciate the gifts I wanted so much? Is it really possible for a tiny baby to save the world?

We noticed that Mother and Dad exchanged quick looks when one of us talked about what we hoped to find under the tree. We saw that Mother smiled a lot as she brought in the extra groceries for holiday meals; and that Dad did not mind the extra work it took to prepare a household for a Christmas worth remembering. And without words being spoken, we were aware of how important God was to our celebrating. We were asked to live lives of quiet gratitude for all that we had and all that we were . . . and we were asked to do this well.

In our plugged-in, high-powered world today, the days of Advent seem cluttered with too much activity and not enough reflection, too many loud advertisements and not enough quiet jubilation. In this special season of mystery and anticipation, Paul reminds us that unless we move forward in Christ we are stagnant, or worse, we move backward. Paul tells us that the race is long and that we must pace ourselves. Paul calls us to join him in his faithful, constant, steady progress in Christ, for Christ, toward Christ. Paul asks us to be our best selves in spite of all that we see around us that disappoints us or causes fear; he tells us that our genuine maturity arrives with Christ and not in spite of him.

When we move forward in Christ we cannot lose, we must win.

When we move forward in Christ we do not grieve forever, we will rejoice.

When we move forward in Christ, our worst fears and anxieties will not overpower us, we will learn to face and even conquer them; and we will discover that we have indeed been taken possession of by Christ, we have pursued and even claimed the prize of God’s upward calling.

A re-post from December 10, 2011.

Image from: http://www.darren-price.com/android/

March 4, 2019

1 Corinthians 13:10, 1 Timothy 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 10:4, forward in Christ, Philippians 4:8

Tag: Philippians 4:8

Isaiah 66:18-24: God Sets a Sign

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Lamentations 2:19-22: Rising Up

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Philippians 3:12-16: God’s Upward Calling

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