In our first reading today from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, most biblical scholars believe that Paul is incorporating an ancient hymn from the Early Church into the text of the letter. According to Paul, Christ had an attitude of radical humility and radical obedience. Even though Christ was with God and was God, he lowered Himself not only by becoming a man, but by dying on the cross to bring us salvation.
Just before today’s passage in the letter, Paul was imploring the community to be of one mind. I don’t think Paul was implying that there should not be differences of opinion within the community. Rather, he wanted them to be united in a spirit of love and concern for the common good of the community.
In today’s passage, the text of the hymn asks us to let the same mind be present amongst us that was in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wants the life of the Christian community to be formed by the mind of Christ, to be formed in a spirit of humility and love, rather than asserting power and control.
Living in a community is not always easy, whether it be our Christian community, our family, our city, or our workplace. Yet the values of humility and love, grounded in the spirit of Christ, will allow us to truly as disciples of Christ in these community settings.
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