Advent Devotional for Monday, 19 December 2011
Week 4: PEACE
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Reflecting on this passage, I thought of a Jesuit paradox with which I have only recently become familiar: “Pray as if everything depends on you but act as if everything depends on God.”
The passage also led me to reflect on a very different source, and I apologize in advance for the sports reference. Tom Brady is the quarterback for the New England Patriots and has led his team to three Super Bowl titles. He is known for his calm demeanor especially in high-pressure games. If St. Paul were observing Brady, he might note that his “gentleness” is evident to all.
I once heard Brady discuss why he does not get nervous before big games. His answer was that he does not get anxious because when you prepare as thoroughly as he does, the game ought to be a celebration.
I would imagine that Tom Brady combines his physical and mental preparation for games with prayer. Through his physical, mental, and spiritual preparation, Brady is proceeding as if everything depends on him. Once game time has arrived, he is at peace, his heart and mind are “guarded” and his play is a celebration.
Keith Laschinger, Vice President, Advancement
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