Philippians 2:1-11: Unity and Humility
Friday, December 13, 2019
Complete my joy by being of the same mind . . .
If Christ – who is God – can humble himself in order to bring about good, cannot we humble ourselves, and can we not obey God’s call to us? And what miracles might we experience once we do?
In Chapter 14 of Acts we read an account of how Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for pagan gods when they are able to cure a crippled man. When this gift of healing which God gives them is made known, “some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered round him, he got up and entered the city”. Even a stoning and apparent death do not stop Paul. He is of the same mind as Christ.
As we spend time reflecting on Paul’s words and his actions, we have the opportunity to gauge our own humility before God, and our own desire for unity with Christ no matter the cost. Are we willing to be of the same mind as Christ?
From the MAGNIFICAT Evening Prayer: Psalm 116:12 – How can I repay the Lord for God’s goodness to me?
The attitude of thankfulness is central to Christian spirituality. The debt of gratitude we owe for God’s faithful love can be repaid only in a two-sided coin: turning to God in thanksgiving and doing for others what has been done for us. (Mini-reflection)
Be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17)
The Christology expressed here is paramount to our understanding of who Christ is and how we might expect ourselves to be in him as he is in us. At the root of his divinity is his readiness to humble himself and to obey God . . . even to the point of death. Are we willing to be of the same mind as Christ?
Notes tell us that the hymn Paul cites in likely one that was sung by the early Christians; and we can understand how this song may have served to inspire the fledgling church as she struggled to survive. We too, might use these words when we find ourselves floundering. He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave . . . he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
When we are humble enough . . . and when we obey enough . . . then we can say we are in unity with Christ. And when we can say this, we will be in that spot where serenity overcomes anxiety, and where love overcomes fear.
A re-post from USA Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012.
Cameron, Peter John. “Prayer for the Evening.” MAGNIFICAT. 25.10 (2010). Print.
The Noontimes 