We want to prayerfully consider today's Mass's Second Reading.

Sunday 10/1/17

Priests, in their Sunday homilies usually comment on that day's Gospel, however, today, I want to draw your attention to the second part of the Second Reading. Our modern version of the Bible readings differ from what they were when I was in the seminary sixty years ago. I want to quote one verse at a time from the old version, commenting on each verse.

"Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be clung to."

Paul, who sent these words to the Christians at Philippi, was reminding them that as Christians they were bound to imitate the behavior of Jesus. Mysteriously, he as able to lay aside his equality with the Father.

"Rather he emptied himself, taking on the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in his appearance." 

" He emptied himself" What a tremendously descriptive phrase that is!

"Taking on the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance."

As a human he could feel disappointment. He had to find roadside places for him to relieve himself.

"He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  

Misfortunes sneak up on us, but through the days and nights of his years, Jesus could feel the spikes driven through his hands and he was trying to turn his face away from the spitting.

"Because of this. God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth  and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."