Word to the Wise
Tuesday, November 4, 2014 - Tuesday in the 31th Week in Ordinary Time
[Phil 2:5-11 and Luke 14:15-24,558]"Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, oming in human likeness; and, found human in apppearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross" [Philippians]
Oh how I wish everyone running for public office, especially those who will be elected, would read these words from St. Paul! Scripture scholars tell us that these words were borrowed by St. Paul from a hymn in use in the Christian community at the time. They speak to the rapid development of theological reflection about the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus' humble obedience to his mission leads to his exaltation (read the whole passage). Much too often, the political process works the other way around! The exaltation of election leads to eventual humiliation!
The Letter to the Philippians is referred to as one of the "captivity" letters because Paul wrote it from imprisonment. His ministry led to his being jailed on a number of occasions. We can forget how dangerous it can be to preach the gospel. (Ask the minister just released by the North Koreans! Or ask the Christian communities in Iraq and Syria!) It is determined and humble perseverance to the task of serving God's people by proclaiming God's Word that leads to exaltation. I hope we can get this kind of service from one another and from Pope and politician! AMEN
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