Be Ready for the Day of Christ
Preparing for the Sixth Sunday in Lent: Two Days before Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday (Year A)
Scripture
Psalter: Psalm 31:9-16
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:11-13
Epistle: Philippians 1:1-11
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Prayer
God of the living, through baptism we pass from the shadow of death to the light of the resurrection. Remain with us and give us hope that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit who gives life to our mortal flesh, we may be clothed with the garment of immortality, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reflection
As is typical of Paul’s letters, following the greeting he gives thanks and prays for the welfare of his readers. His thanksgiving is by no means an oblique prayer on behalf of his readers, rather it is made directly to God for the wonderful work he is performing in the Philippian congregation. Paul probably has in mind the financial contribution the congregation is making to his missionary work. Paul then prays for the perfection of his readers; he prays for their spiritual insight so that they might reap the full harvest of righteousness - the fruits of God's redeeming love.
Paul’s prayer for the church was that they might grow in love. First, that their love might be insightful, a love lived out in wisdom and knowledge. Second, that their love might be active, a love lived out in deeds of righteousness.
The Philippian church certainly lived out the command of our Lord to “love one another”. It was not just compassion, but a bonding to Jesus, to each other, and to their apostle/prophet. Paul's needs were their needs; Paul’s ministry was their ministry. It was for their Christian love that Paul gave thanks to God, and he did so in the knowledge that their love would further mature as the indwelling Spirit of Christ continued his sanctifying work within. It was within this context that Paul prayed for the Philippians; he prayed that they might grow in love.
Paul prayed for an insightful love. He prayed that their “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.” A love without direction is of little value. Understanding the character of God, his will for us in the present and in the future, is an essential characteristic of effective love. How can I love God if I do not understand him? How can I love my neighbor if I do not know what is God’s will for my neighbor? How can I love God, my neighbor and myself, if I do not have the ability to discern the shades, the subtleties of truth, as they interact with darkness? Love must be insightful.
Paul prayed for an active love. He prayed that the Philippians’ love might foster a life “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.” A love that is not lived out, is a love without substance. Living out love in righteousness, through the power of the indwelling Christ, is an essential characteristic of effective love. How can I love God if all I do is please myself? How can I love my neighbor if I blindly ignore their practical needs? Love must be active.
Filled with the fruit of love that is both insightful and active, Paul prayed that the Philippians live, mindful of Christ's coming. Let us also, through Christ’s life-changing power, similarly prepare for that coming day.
PRAYER: God of the covenant, in the glory of the cross your Son embraced the power of death and broke its hold over your people. In this time of repentance, draw all people to yourself, that we who confess Jesus as Lord may put aside the deeds of death and accept the life of your kingdom. Amen.
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