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."
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