Free to Shine

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to meet the difficulties and disappointments of working for a more loving and caring world with a conviction that our fellowship with Christ through the Spirit will guide our path to full life.

Time to Shine

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians challenges us to be shining as lights in the World through Obedience and Service.

* [2:12–18] Paul goes on to draw out further ethical implications for daily life (Phil 2:14–18) from the salvation God works in Christ.

* [2:12] Fear and trembling: a common Old Testament expression indicating awe and seriousness in the service of God (cf. Ex 15:16; Jdt 2:28; Ps 2:11; Is 19:16).

* [2:15–16] Generation…as you hold on to…: or “…generation. Among them shine like lights in the world because you hold the word of life….”

* [2:17] Libation: in ancient religious ritual, the pouring out on the ground of a liquid offering as a sacrifice. Paul means that he may be facing death. (Philippians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 27 is a Triumphant Song of Confidence.

* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes the Cost of Discipleship.

* [14:25–33] This collection of sayings, most of which are peculiar to Luke, focuses on the total dedication necessary for the disciple of Jesus. No attachment to family (Lk 14:26) or possessions (Lk 14:33) can stand in the way of the total commitment demanded of the disciple. Also, acceptance of the call to be a disciple demands readiness to accept persecution and suffering (Lk 14:27) and a realistic assessment of the hardships and costs (Lk 14:28–32).

* [14:26] Hating his father…: cf. the similar saying in Mt 10:37. The disciple’s family must take second place to the absolute dedication involved in following Jesus (see also Lk 9:59–62). (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Kent Beausoleil, S.J. reminds us to remember this day, and always, that moments of divine love are actually all around us and that true love involves, in some moving and profound ways, sacrifice.

It was my dad calling that he needed help and to be checked into the hospital, with one final dig he said to me, ‘that I cared more about my friends, than I did him’. In the early morning cold, I trudged to the dining hall and met my friend there, but I was now in a crappy mood because of what my dad said and the stressors of life. I snapped at my friend accusing him of the same thing that my dad accused me of, of not being there for me, through all of my current anxious life experiences. I yelled at him, and then realizing I forgot my wallet and keys, I walked back to my room to retrieve them.

When I came back to the dining room’s parking lot my friend met me by the car, he on one side and I on the other, and I chastised him again about not being loving and supportive, he threw up his hands in a gesture that spoke to me of, ‘I  surrender, I give up’, and he then walked away. I looked down, and saw then that he had brushed all the snow off the car and scraped the ice from the heavy snowfall the night before. My heart in anger and in my anxiousness missed the love that was present all around me. (Beausoleil, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus permits us to love family but not more than God,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"He says, 'He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me' (Matthew 10:37). By adding 'more than me,' it is plain that he permits us to love, but not more than we love him. He demands our highest affection for himself and that very correctly. The love of God in those who are perfect in mind has something in it superior both to the honor due to parents and to the natural affection felt for children." (excerpt fromCOMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 105) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Philippians 2:12-18 comments that the apostle also made it clear that our hope of eternal life requires us to be serious about our faith. We have to fight temptation, make time for prayer and worship, and sacrifice our comforts and desires out of love for someone else. Each day presents new challenges—as well as joys and blessings—as we fight the good fight of faith (see 1 Timothy 6:12).

And that leads to the second question: should we be afraid of a God who has been so good to us? That answer is also no! Actually, “with fear and trembling” was a common Hebrew expression that meant that we should have a healthy respect and reverence for God. Paul never wanted us to take our salvation for granted. It’s a gift that was purchased for us at great cost.

In prayer today, stand in awe of such a great God. Kneel in reverence before the mighty Lord of the universe. Then thank him that as you “work out your salvation,” you can count on him to work in you!

“Lord, what an awesome God you are!” (Meditation on Philippians 2:12-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on being a libation and giving our all for Christ.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that faithful trust in God’s love leads him to both prayer and action. If religion and religious people are to have any moral credibility in the face of the massive death-dealing and denial of this era, we need to move with great haste toward lives of political holiness. 

This is my theology and my politics.

It appears that God loves life: The creating never stops. 

We will love and create and maintain life. 

It appears that God is love—an enduring, patient kind. 

We will seek and trust love in all its humanizing (and therefore divinizing) forms. 

It appears that God loves the variety of multiple features, faces, and forms. 

We will not be afraid of the other, the not-me, the stranger at the gate. 

It appears that God loves—is—beauty: Look at this world! 

Those who pray already know this. Their passion will be for beauty. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the cost of our discipleship as conditions in the world seem to be lacking the self sacrificing love that we seek to embrace as followers of the Way.

References

Beausoleil, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110624.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?25 

Meditation on Philippians 2:12-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/06/1123663/ 

Philippians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?12 

Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?0 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Prayer, Politics, and God’s Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/prayer-politics-and-gods-love/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The True Cost of Discipleship. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov6 

Invited to Share

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to put on the attitude of Christ to open our lives to sharing our time, treasure, and talent in supporting the community of all people as children of God.

Sharing the Banquet

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians presents a Hymn of Jesus Kenosis. 

* [2:5] Have…the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus: or, “that also Christ Jesus had.” While it is often held that Christ here functions as a model for moral imitation, it is not the historical Jesus but the entire Christ event that Phil 2:6–11 depict. Therefore, the appeal is to have in relations among yourselves that same relationship you have in Jesus Christ, i.e., serving one another as you serve Christ (Phil 2:4).

* [2:6–11] Perhaps an early Christian hymn quoted here by Paul. The short rhythmic lines fall into two parts, Phil 2:6–8 where the subject of every verb is Christ, and Phil 2:9–11 where the subject is God. The general pattern is thus of Christ’s humiliation and then exaltation. More precise analyses propose a division into six three-line stanzas (Phil 2:6; 7abc, 7d–8, 9, 10, 11) or into three stanzas (Phil 2:6–7ab, 7cd–8, 9–11). Phrases such as even death on a cross (Phil 2:8c) are considered by some to be additions (by Paul) to the hymn, as are Phil 2:10c, 11c.

* [2:6] Either a reference to Christ’s preexistence and those aspects of divinity that he was willing to give up in order to serve in human form, or to what the man Jesus refused to grasp at to attain divinity. Many see an allusion to the Genesis story: unlike Adam, Jesus, though…in the form of God (Gn 1:26–27), did not reach out for equality with God, in contrast with the first Adam in Gn 3:5–6.

* [2:7] Taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness: or “…taking the form of a slave. Coming in human likeness, and found human in appearance.” While it is common to take Phil 2:6, 7 as dealing with Christ’s preexistence and Phil 2:8 with his incarnate life, so that lines Phil 2:7b, 7c are parallel, it is also possible to interpret so as to exclude any reference to preexistence (see note on Phil 2:6) and to take Phil 2:6–8 as presenting two parallel stanzas about Jesus’ human state (Phil 2:6–7b; 7cd–8); in the latter alternative, coming in human likeness begins the second stanza and parallels 6a to some extent.

* [2:8] There may be reflected here language about the servant of the Lord, Is 52:13–53:12 especially Is 53:12.

* [2:9] The name: “Lord” (Phil 2:11), revealing the true nature of the one who is named.

* [2:10–11] Every knee should bend…every tongue confess: into this language of Is 45:23 there has been inserted a reference to the three levels in the universe, according to ancient thought, heaven, earth, under the earth.

* [2:11] Jesus Christ is Lord: a common early Christian acclamation; cf. 1 Cor 12:3; Rom 10:9. But doxology to God the Father is not overlooked here (Phil 2:11c) in the final version of the hymn. (Philippians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 22 is a plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility.

* [Psalm 22] A lament unusual in structure and in intensity of feeling. The psalmist’s present distress is contrasted with God’s past mercy in Ps 22:2–12. In Ps 22:13–22 enemies surround the psalmist. The last third is an invitation to praise God (Ps 22:23–27), becoming a universal chorus of praise (Ps 22:28–31). The Psalm is important in the New Testament. Its opening words occur on the lips of the crucified Jesus (Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46), and several other verses are quoted, or at least alluded to, in the accounts of Jesus’ passion (Mt 27:35, 43; Jn 19:24). (Psalms, PSALM 22 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus offers the Parable of the Great Dinner.

* [14:15–24] The parable of the great dinner is a further illustration of the rejection by Israel, God’s chosen people, of Jesus’ invitation to share in the banquet in the kingdom and the extension of the invitation to other Jews whose identification as the poor, crippled, blind, and lame (Lk 14:21) classifies them among those who recognize their need for salvation, and to Gentiles (Lk 14:23). A similar parable is found in Mt 22:1–10. (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that the celebration of her Dad’s life was not just a sending for him, but a large participation in the Spirit. Those present did truly feel joy being of the same mind, the same love, united in heart, and in the encouragement of Christ.

But equally important has been the time we five siblings have been spending since his passing in settling the estate. It is such a consolation to each of us to be working together to look out for the interests of all. No one is behaving selfishly. All are being considerate of each other. Providing an opportunity to imitate Christ’s humility is what the death of a loved one can do for us. Too often, however, that is not the case, even among the faithful. I pray today, that we can all being in the same love and united in heart during such times of loss and sorrow. Indeed, that is the way of Christ. (Dilly, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The heavenly food of Jesus' word,” by Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD).

"The holy agape is the sublime and saving creation of the Lord... An agape is in reality heavenly food, a banquet of the Word. The agape, or love, 'bears all things, endures all things, hopes all things. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). 'Blessed is he who eats bread in the kingdom of God' (Luke 14:15). The most unlikely of all downfalls is charity that does not fail to be thrown down from heaven to earth among all these dainty seasonings. Do you still imagine that I refer to a meal that will be destroyed? (1 Corinthians 6:13) 'If I distribute my goods to the poor and do not have love,' Scripture says, 'I am nothing' (1 Corinthians 13:3). The whole law and the word depend on this love (Matthew 22:40). If you love the Lord your God and your neighbor (Mark 12:30-31), there will be a heavenly feast in heaven. The earthly feast, as we have proved from Scripture, is called a supper. It is permeated with love yet is not identified with it but is an expression of mutual and generous good will." (excerpt from CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 2,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Philippians 2:5-11 comments that He who sat at the Father’s right hand now walked among sinners like us. He who was worshipped and adored by angels endured suspicion, malice, and hardness of heart from his enemies and selfishness and misunderstanding from his friends. He who dwelt in eternal glory was nailed to a cross like a convicted criminal. All for you!

Doesn’t this fill your heart with gratitude and love for the Lord? Doesn’t it make you want to bow down before him in worship?

But don’t stop there. Take on this “same attitude”! Ask the Lord what that looks like for you. Ponder what it means for you to empty yourself and humble yourself in imitation of the Lord. Just know that Jesus honors every act of service you perform. He rejoices every time you lower yourself to lift someone up. And he promises to fill you with his life and love every time you empty yourself for his sake. Believe that he will lift you up just as he is lifted up!

“Jesus, thank you for emptying yourself for me! Teach me how to empty myself for the people in my life.” (Meditation on Philippians 2:5-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Christological hymn that Paul adds to the Letter to the Philippians that celebrates the divinity and humanity of Christ. What was the exaltation of Christ? Raised to heaven? The Love of the Cross? Friar Jude reminds us to be alert to the call of Jesus to the heavenly banquet as we share our love and resources with others.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal bishop Rev. Barbara Harris (1930–2020) who invites us to rely on Christ’s peace.

Often as we sail over the tempestuous sea of life, our world is in storm on a personal, national, and global level. But not only is Christ on the ship, Christ is in command—even when he seems to be asleep. “He who keeps watch over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3, Book of Common Prayer). And what a comfort lies in the simple thought: “His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me” [see Matthew 10:29]. 

Jesus hears us when we call, but he refuses to jump when we push the panic button. We are afraid to rely on that presence and the saving power. In our haste and our anxiety, we tend to rely on what we can see, count, touch, and feel. We forget that such things will pass away. We need, in the words of the old hymn, to “build our hopes on things eternal and hold to God’s unchanging hand.” (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the path under the guidance of the Spirit that leads to our emptying of self serving ambition as we accept the invitation to join the communion of people at the Banquet of God’s Love.

References

Dilly, B. (2024, November 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110524.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?15 

Meditation on Philippians 2:5-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/05/1123128/ 

Philippians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?5 

Psalms, PSALM 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/22?26 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Trusting in Christ’s Peace. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/trusting-in-christs-peace/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Invitation to the King's Banquet Table. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov5