Tuesday, 5 November 2024. Readings: Philippians 2:5-11, Ps. 22:26-32, Luke 14:15-24
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited.” (Philippians 2:5-6)
In the movie Coming to America, the main actor, Eddie Murphy (who simultaneously played several roles), starred as a young prince who disguised himself as a pauper to find true love. He wanted a woman who loved him as a person, not because he was rich.
- Eddie Murphy’s character knew who he was, but he chose to become something else for a while to get what he wanted. He was being deceptive. Unlike the character in the movie who disguised for his selfish interest (to get a wife), St. Paul, in today’s first reading, tells us that Jesus, for our sake, chose to become like one of us and even died for our salvation.
- Jesus did not consider the fact that he is God; he took our flesh and went through humiliation, suffering and bitter death to achieve our eternal salvation. St. Paul wants us to develop a Christlike mind to imitate Christ’s humility and self-sacrifice for the good of our fellow brothers and sisters. Throw off your “big-man-ity.” Stop asking: “Do you know who I am?” (You are just dust, by the way).
- What does it mean to have the mind of Jesus Christ? To have the mind of Christ is not a matter of pretence (faking to be who you are not); rather, it is self-emptying and humility. It is putting ourselves in others’ shoes and leaving our comfort zone to help them.
- To have the mind of Christ is to incarnate Christ in the world by asking: “What would Christ have done if He were today?” To have the mind of Christ is to live in a manner that will make others believe in God’s existence.
- I recently heard the story of some soldiers who broke into a tea shop because it was a cold winter morning, and they needed something warm to drink. When they left, the captain left some money for the shop owner to satisfy his conscience. The soldiers felt they had a right to steal the tea since no one would dare question them, but the captain had the mind of Christ. He left money for the shop owner.
- Later, when the soldiers passed by that same shop, they met the owner who told a story of how his son was at the point of dying, and he needed money to help the poor boy. After praying to God for help, he came to his shop and found some money, not knowing who had kept it there. From that day, he would not stop preaching that God truly exists.
- Do you realise the importance of having the mind of Christ? It is making Christ present in a world that has sunk into darkness. Recently, we saw a video of a high-ranking government official assaulting a cab driver. If Christ could stoop so low in all His heavenly wealth and glory, why do we find it difficult to practice humility when we have some little change (political power and money)?
- In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells a parable to those at the table with him. Some had been invited to a feast but failed to attend, so the Host extended the invitation to everyone and anyone the servants could find. Jesus wanted the Pharisees at the table with Him to learn that by rejecting Him, they were turning down God’s invitation and that this would make God extend salvation to “anyone and everyone the servants can find.”
- On the other hand, this parable also applies to us Christians today. We have become the Pharisees of today. We pride ourselves as Children of God but fail to attend the marriage feast—how? We do not practice what we proclaim. We attend church but live as though God does not exist. We seek God’s blessings but shun His counsel; we refuse to operate according to the mind of Christ.
- We are practical unbelievers; we don’t even make efforts to live holy and sinless lives, yet we claim to believe God for miracles of abundance and prosperity. God, like the Host in this parable, would have no choice but to reach out to those we consider unworthy. Surely, there would be many surprises awaiting us in heaven.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, remove my heart of stone, cure me of my selfishness and pride, and teach me to have a mind like yours. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 31 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Philippians 2:5-11, Ps. 22:26-32, Luke 14:15-24).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu