Word to the Wise
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Tuesday in the 31th Week in Ordinary Time
[Phil 2:5-11 and Luke 14:15-24]"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, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." [Philippians]
"Even death on a cross!" That phrase carries a great deal of meaning that could escape us in our time. Crucifixion was well known in Jesus' time as the penalty the Romans exacted for anyone who was considered a danger to the empire and to Caesar. It was considered a shameful death, and for a long time, Christians found it difficult to explain how someone branded as the worst kind of criminal could be the savior of the world!!! In the Letter to the Philippians, written from prison, St. Paul exhorts Christians to be as self-giving as Christ who "emptied himself." Theologians call this kenosis, a Greek word meaning to empty.
The individualism that characterizes much of western society makes self-giving a heroic thing, to be admired but maybe not imitated. Even St. Paul admitted in one of his letters that it is not easy to die for someone else. [Romans 5:7-8] Jesus' death for our sakes is the proof of God's lovel This is an ultimate love, but St. Paul challenges us at least to have the same attitude of self-giving, even if we are not called to the ultimate commitment of death. Jesus noted an example of this with the poor widow: "She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." [Mark 12:43-44] How "self-giving" are we? That one question could make an entire examination of conscience! AMEN