31st Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - The humble attitude of Christ

Today's reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians is one of the most beloved passages in the New Testament—Paul's Christological hymn. 

The hymn focuses on Christ—his pre-existence as the co-equal eternal Son of the Father, his incarnation, his humble self-emptying, and his saving death on the cross. Paul uses this hymn to teach the Philippians about humility, urging them to emulate Christ's attitude in their relationships with one another. True Christian unity depends on each member of the community sharing the humble mindset of Christ, who was obedient to the Father's will.

How are we called to embody this Christ-like humility? First, like Christ who "did not regard equality with God something to be grasped," we must let go of our need to always be in control--or to prove your opinion correct. This might mean listening more than speaking or admitting when we've made a mistake rather than defending our pride.

Second, as Christ "took the form of a servant," we too must seek opportunities to serve, especially in ways that might seem beneath our status. This could mean being the first to volunteer for unglamorous tasks, helping a colleague even when we're busy, or quietly doing household chores that no one notices.

Third, following Christ's example of being "obedient unto death," we are called to persevere in doing good even when it costs us. This might mean caring for other people despite our own fatigue, remaining patient those with whom we disagree, or standing up for truth even when it makes us unpopular.

In Holy Communion today, we approach the one who empties himself that we may be full of life. As St. Augustine said, to receive Holy Communion worthily we must seek to become what we receive—not one who grasps at power, but one who seeks to serve.

Jesus makes of himself a total offering, a total gift of himself for the good of others, and every Christian must strive to make that the animating force of their life. This certainly involves seeking conversion from pride to humility every day. 

Let us pray for the grace to empty ourselves as Christ did, that we may decrease so He may increase in us. May we, like Christ, become bread broken for others, poured out in loving service to all we meet for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For unity in the Church, faithfulness to right teaching, detachment from worldly vices, courage in the Church’s evangelizing mission, and humility in all of our interactions and relationships.

May citizens of our nation today take seriously the responsibility of voting. May our election system be free from corruption and may its integrity be defended. May civility prevail in all of our political affairs and may those with differing political views may work together for a good, just, and righteous society. May our most sacred liberties be protected, especially the right to life.

For all victims of war, for peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and the consolation of the suffering. May God come to the assistance of the communities and families devastated by terrorism and war; and may world leaders work together for peace. 

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance, and that Christians will be instruments of God’s mercy for all those in need.  

We pray in a special way during this Month of November for all of the faithful departed; for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

31st Week in OT 2018 - Tuesday - The self-emptying of Christ

Today’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one of the most beloved passages in the entire New Testament—Paul’s Christological hymn also known as the Philippians Hymn.  Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians in the late 50s, yet scholars believe that the Philippians hymn predated the letter, a hymn that Paul may have encountered during an earlier missionary journey. So it is perhaps one of the oldest expressions of Christian faith dating back to the 40s or even possibly the 30s just years after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Our Lord.

This hymn encapsulates the humility of Jesus, which Paul is exhorting the Philippians to practice, especially in their conduct toward one another. Harmony and unity amongst Christians is predicated on each member of the community seeking to imitate, having the same attitude of, the humble Christ.
The hymn points out the Lord’s humility in his self-emptying, leaving his exalted status in heaven at the behest of his Father, to become a slave for our redemption. Obedience to the Holy Will of the Father is one mark of humility. Willingness to embrace suffering for the good of others is another.

Pope Benedict XVI, commenting on this passage wrote: “Christ, incarnated and humiliated in the most infamous death, that of crucifixion, is proposed as a vital model for the Christian…not content with gazing on us with a benign look from his throne of glory, [God] enters personally in human history, becoming "flesh," namely, fragile reality, conditioned by time and space…To penetrate into Jesus' sentiments means not to consider power, wealth and prestige as the highest values in life, as in the end, they do not respond to the deepest thirst of our spirit, but to open our heart to the Other, to bear with the Other the burden of life and to open ourselves to the Heavenly Father with a sense of obedience and trust, knowing, precisely, that if we are obedient to the Father, we will be free”

In Holy Communion today, we approach the one who empties himself that we may be full of life. May we pour ourselves out in humble Christian service for the unity of our Church and the good of those most in need, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may seek to imitate Jesus in his charity, compassion, self-sacrifice, and witness to the Truth.

On this Election Day, we pray that all those seeking political office will use their political influence selflessly to serve Christ’s kingdom of justice and peace.

That all Christians may seek to imitate the Lord Jesus ever-more deeply in his humble obedience to the Father’s Will.

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that they may know the goodness of God and the charity of the Church.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for whom we pray especially during this month of November, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

31st Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Putting on the mind of Christ

Throughout the week, our first reading will be taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul’s short four chapter letter to the Philippians, can easily be read in one sitting.

Philippi, in northeastern Greece, was a city of some importance located on a major trade route of the Roman Empire. Reading through this letter, you can tell that Paul has a special place in his heart for the Christians of Philippi.  And this makes sense, because according to the book of Acts, Philippi is the first Christian community established by Paul in Europe.

This letter is neither a treatise on systematic theology, like Paul’s epistle to the Romans, nor is it a practical, moral letter answering many specific questions and local problems, like I Corinthians.  Rather, Philippians is a pastoral, personal letter in which Paul expresses his love for the Philippians, his confidence in their progress in holiness, and his joy that the Gospel is spreading.  And he writes all this while in prison in Rome where he was awaiting death.

We will hear Philippians most famous passage tomorrow, Paul’s Christological Hymn—the song of Christ’s self-emptying---that Christ emptied himself and took the form of a slave and died on a cross.
But, today’s passage is like a mini-introduction to the hymn—Paul exhorts the Christians to, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.”  The “mind” they are to adopt is the “mind” or “attitude” of Jesus who humbled himself to the point of death on the cross, which will be sung about in the following verses. The servant-attitude of Christ isn’t just for some members of the community, but all of them.

Then he writes, “Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves”. This sort of humility was certainly counter-cultural for the Philippians, as it is today. In the Roman empire, one’s place in the imperial pecking order was of great concern. One was expected to pursue higher status with great ambition, willing to prove that you are better than the people and the classes below you.

“Compassion” and “mercy” were signs of weakness. The cultural attitude was to regard yourself as better than others and treat them that way.

Rather, Paul, instructs us to adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ in all things. Look for opportunities to practice compassion and mercy. Hold banquets for the poor and the outcasts, as the Lord instructs in the Gospel.  Do not worry about where you stand in the social order, in the eyes of your neighbors and coworkers. Rather, pour yourself out like Christ in service, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may seek to imitate Jesus in his charity, compassion, self-sacrifice, and witness to the Truth.

That those seeking political office tomorrow on Election Day will use their political influence selflessly to serve Christ’s kingdom of justice and peace..

That all Christians may be dedicated to the works of mercy, especially in serving the needs of the most vulnerable.

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.