XXVI Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - September 27, 2020 The fullness of Jesus Christ: foundation of our belief and way of living Readings: Ezekiel 18: 25-28 / Psalm 25 / Philippians 2: 1-11 / Matthew 21: 28-32
How do you characterize the Christian life? How would most people, especially those who are in the “None of the above” or no religious affiliation category? I wonder if many people in our day and age might think that the Christian faith has mostly to do with moral codes but know truly little about Jesus Christ himself. Even though St. Paul lived almost 2,000 years ago, he seems to be aware of this challenge.
In the second reading, from chapter 2 of the letter to the Philippians, St. Paul calls us to a Christian way of living and being in community. We recall his words: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others” and “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.”
At the same time, underlying this admonition is a clear understanding that we must be in relationship with the Lord. After calling us to an “imitatio Christi” (imitation of Christ), he delves into the very mystery and identity of the Lord Jesus.
To make his point, beginning with verse six to the end, Paul relies upon an ancient hymn of Christ as he writes, “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness…” The verses resound like a creed laying out simply and clearly the whole trajectory and mission of Jesus Christ by offering us the fullness of his divinity and humanity.
This is an intentional move. The apostle seeks to provide a deeper foundation for our lives and the way we should live by teaching us about who it is that we are called to follow. He knows that knowledge of Christ and belief in him are necessary before one can expect to share his attitude.
Christ makes a firm choice; he exercises a clear option for us. “He emptied himself…” Following his choice and option, the Church teaches that we must also make and have a fundamental option for the poor and those who suffer. It is to be like the Good Samaritan and Christ himself. To look upon the needs and suffering of others and be moved with compassion to act.
Christ clearly demonstrates this option by humbling himself – choosing downward mobility – for our sake, because he loves us. The theological term for this is, in Greek, is Kenosis, the self-emptying of Christ. It is imperative that we never consider this as condescension or being done out of superiority, for such an attitude does not exist in the mind of Christ. He freely chose this form of downward mobility in order to demonstrate to us our dignity.
Christ had, and indeed has, the power, the sovereignty - the Divinity – to do all. However, he “did not deem equality with God something to be grasped.” He first and foremost places his Divinity at our service, for our good and salvation. Our need was and always is the Lord’s concern. This is a major lesson for us to follow: to believe that we have much to give and to be humble and grateful enough to give ourselves for the good of others.
The second reading shows us that humility, compassion and charity are not sentimental feelings, but the characteristics of the Divine – Christ himself. Knowing Christ is the way we come to know how to live and know who we are called to be.
Christ always recognizes a part of himself in us. The question remains, do we recognize ourselves and how we live and act in him? While Christ is God and we are mere mortals, there is much for us to learn about ourselves, through him, with him and in him.