Readings for Reflection: February 2007
from the Committee on Ministry and Counsel

Friends who gathered in December to consider the Lake Erie Yearly Meeting queries spoke of trying to combat fearfulness in our lives and in the world. These passages speak to this condition.


Philippians 4:6-8 New American Standard Version

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brethren (and sistren) whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.


From Parker J. Palmer: The Active Life, 1990, p. 8

The core message of all the great spiritual traditions is “Be not afraid.” Rather, be confident that life is good and trustworthy. In this light, the great failure is not that of leading a full and vital active life, with all the mistakes and suffering such a life will bring (along with its joys). Instead, the failure is to withdraw fearfully from the place to which one is called, to squander the most precious of all our birthrights—the experience of aliveness itself.

All Readings for Reflection