'Those who have stood by me' - December 2

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35; Isa. 7:10-25; 2 Thess. 2:13-3:5; Luke 22:14-30

Today’s Reflection

Psalm 31 reminds us of how in God we can find our refuge. The psalmist calls out to God, praying that God would, “Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me. Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your name, lead me and guide me” (Psalm 31: 2-3). With these words, we are reminded of several of God’s attributes, including that God protects us, comforts us, listens to us, delivers us, and guides us. In my experience, I have found that one of the chief ways through which God offers us refuge—and does all these things for us—is through the friends God places in our lives, the companions God gives us as we find our way through the changes and chances of this life.

In Luke 22, we find Jesus at the end of his time here on earth. He offered his friends bread and wine, saying them to the very words that we still use today (what we call the words of institution) in our Eucharistic prayers: “Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood’” (Luke 22: 19-20).

Sadly, right after that, Jesus’ friends got off track, worrying about who among them is the greatest and who is the least. Jesus reminded them that what greatness really means is to be a servant, as he has done. And then he says to them, “You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom” (Luke 22: 28-30a). Even Jesus needed friends to stand by him (NRSV) or stay with him (ESV) through the tough moments in life. Jesus’ strong rock, his crag and stronghold, were these friends.

Before the pandemic was ever on our radar, before everyone started Zoom-ing for everything, we set up a Facebook group for our seminary cohort, which is about 17 people who went through the MDiv or Anglican Studies programs together at Seminary of the Southwest. And we had to find a time to meet for video chats that would work for people who are scattered across time zones from Seattle, Washington to Wiesbaden, Germany. We haven’t been meeting quite as often lately—and I’ve been missing these times of encouragement. These are friends who are like family. We are each other’s “crag and stronghold,” and we continue to stand by one another in times of trial—just as Jesus and his friends did, and Paul and his friends in Thessaloniki, too.

I hope you have found people like this as you have journeyed through life, companions to be your “strong rock” along the way. I suspect that for many of you, you have found these kinds of supportive friends in our community here at Saint Stephen’s. To echo Paul’s letter to some of his friends, the Thessalonians, “But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord. … Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word” (2 Thess. 2: 13, 16-17).

Becky+

Questions for Self-Reflection

Who are the people have stood with you through times of trial, the people who are your rock and stronghold that help you feel safe? And who counts you among the sources of strength and protection in their life?

Daily Challenge

Find a moment to write a note, send a text, or make a call to a few of the “rocks” God has given to you as a source of support and place of refuge in your life. Tell them what they mean to you. Remind them that you are there for them whenever they need a refuge and a castle to keep them safe.