Spiritual Food For The Journey
October 1, 2023
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Have The Same Attitude of Christ,
This week in our faith journey we are being encouraged and really challenged to have the attitude of Christ, and to persons faithful to the Word and keeping our word in service of Christ and our sisters and brothers.
The attitude of Christ is marked by the greatest humility in loving self giving. The scriptures give us clear insight as to Christ who we know as having from the beginning a union with God, one co-equal in essence. Our second reading where I begin this week demonstrates that.
Look at Philippians 2
Have in you the same attitude that is also 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,
In this great teaching of St. Paul to the Community of Philippi is clear that if we are to truly be Christian, we must have the same attitude of Christ. Not an attitude of arrogance, pride and power over others, but rather one that is in humble service of one an another. An ability to find in the emptying of oneself, the giving away of oneself, that adherence to God's will for us it vital to truly living our lives for Christ.
Look what Jesus teaches us about our call to live for Him.
"Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The attitude of Christ is different from the attitude of the world. Just look at our world and society today. We see those seeking power for their own gain, the lord over others, to get others to "tow the line", the straighten others out. Not only in society but in our own church. We have a unique opportunity to grow in Christ in our relationship with one another. We are called to value one an other. Jesus is telling us in Matthew's Gospel that we are being called not to be like our society or world, but rather to seek and find greatness through service. The giving of ourselves away for others. To moving away from ourselves to embracing and receiving others for their good. To be at service to others is giving our lives to like he did as a ransom as it were for others.
This week in our faith journey we are being encouraged and really challenged to have the attitude of Christ, and to persons faithful to the Word and keeping our word in service of Christ and our sisters and brothers.
The attitude of Christ is marked by the greatest humility in loving self giving. The scriptures give us clear insight as to Christ who we know as having from the beginning a union with God, one co-equal in essence. Our second reading where I begin this week demonstrates that.
Look at Philippians 2
Have in you the same attitude that is also 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,
In this great teaching of St. Paul to the Community of Philippi is clear that if we are to truly be Christian, we must have the same attitude of Christ. Not an attitude of arrogance, pride and power over others, but rather one that is in humble service of one an another. An ability to find in the emptying of oneself, the giving away of oneself, that adherence to God's will for us it vital to truly living our lives for Christ.
Look what Jesus teaches us about our call to live for Him.
"Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The attitude of Christ is different from the attitude of the world. Just look at our world and society today. We see those seeking power for their own gain, the lord over others, to get others to "tow the line", the straighten others out. Not only in society but in our own church. We have a unique opportunity to grow in Christ in our relationship with one another. We are called to value one an other. Jesus is telling us in Matthew's Gospel that we are being called not to be like our society or world, but rather to seek and find greatness through service. The giving of ourselves away for others. To moving away from ourselves to embracing and receiving others for their good. To be at service to others is giving our lives to like he did as a ransom as it were for others.
In the Gospel of Luke the 6th Chapter we hear Jesus' attitude of forgiveness and service. Not looking to our own benefit but rather seeking to good of others.
.. to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
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Rev. Stephan Brown, SVD Pastor
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Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. |
