Philippians 1:20-30

Pentecost +19 – Year A

Philippians 1:20-30

The Message has it that "suffering is as much a gift as the trusting."

Reading backward from here we are able to strive, side-by-side, toward another gift – faith.

Reading further backward - faith perseveres, joyfully progresses.

All of this points to unending fruitful labor, regardless. There is no pie-in-the-sky desired here, only continuation with one another, growing in trust with one another and with G*D.

For some this reading backward is more helpful than reading forward. Try it both ways and see which better clarifies your own life.