[Diocese of Rochester] Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all, the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7

The encouragement from Paul is what I am clinging to on this new day in America. It takes me to the core of our belonging in clinging to God and each other, and not to other structural securities. I pray for a deep inner peace for all the faithful and all who seek the reconciling love of God. I call upon all of us to look for the face of God in each other and recognize it to overcome our prejudices, lay down our tools of violence and breathe the peace of God into all our interactions.

Nothing is more important than the understanding that hatred is real and can only be overcome by goodness, kindness, and forgiveness. So, beloved, let us be agents of transformation who practice internal climate control by being good and kind. Let us forgive one another as we heal and regroup after what has been a divisive political and cultural season. We will depend on God who alone can strengthen us to bring this to fruition.

Your servant in Christ,

+Prince