Meditation: June 3, 2007

" Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord, Jesus Christ. " Romans 5:1    

Reflection: Deep within the bow section of the U.S. Navy ship to which I was assigned, there was a huge mechanism enclosed in a locked metal cage. That mysterious contraption was connected to gyro-compass repeaters on the navigation bridge. We also had magnetic compass readings to keep us on course. Radar helped us avoid collisions with icebergs—we were in Antarctic waters—and radio beams told us our location.

Most intriguing to me is the correspondence between that massive gyroscope in the bowels of the ship and our faith in Jesus Christ. St. Paul, who wrote the letter to the Romans, knew nothing of Carrier-sized ocean-going vessels. But he did some sailing in his travels with the Gospel. After at least one bad shipwreck, from which he barely escaped with his life, he could readily testify to the importance of having suitable navigation equipment on board your boat.

Life is a journey, and for our safety and enjoyment of that journey, we have within us the stabilizing truth of the Gospel. Through storm and strife, against waves of despair and winds of change, this spiritual gyroscope keeps us afloat and on course. We have been, and still are, at Peace with God. Nothing can change that. Really. Nothing.

Prayer: Help me, O God, to feel the tug of The Holy Spirit from deep within my soul, that I may know the Peace of God, which resides there. Amen         

Question of
the Week: How can I better appreciate the Greeting of Peace in the context of our church's liturgy?

Meditation written by Pastor Edward Brown of the St. John's Writing Team.