Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

“Work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12b) For St. Paul, who likely wrote these words from prison, wrote them to give strength to the community in Philippi. Paul wanted to express clearly to the Philippians how important it was to live the Gospel of Jesus in their daily lives. Paul, even though in prision was filled with joy through encountering Christ Jesus and living faithfully as a disciple. As with all of Paul’s letters he is trying to encourage the community to grow in deeper understanding of Jesus. These same words speak to us today. “Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish.” (Phil. 2:14-15a). From the midst of prison, St. Paul’s words of encouragement speak from the fire ablaze in his heart. This holy fire wanted nothing but the absolute best for Paul’s spiritual children.

Paul did not believe we could earn our salvation, but he did believe we must use the grace we have received from the Lord for service to the community. Living a life that is innocent and blameless comes out of our natural desire to accept and reflect the love of the Lord. When we live this love of the Lord, God’s light shines in us. This light is like the joy we see on a child’s face as they smile in front of us at church. It is seen through those who dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of their lives. (Psalm 27:4)

The Gospel emphasizes the total dedication that is necessary to be a disciple. Total is illustrated by suggesting family is not to get in the way of discipleship.(Luke 14:26). This harsh sounding statement shows just how much Jesus wants us to be committed to living a life in service of the Gospel. Neither possessions, nor people are to be an obstruction to our love of the Lord and of our neighbor.

Yes, there are costs to discipleship we need to accept. We must look realistically at our own situation and discern how both the joys and sorrows that make up our lives are for the glory of God. We like Paul need to be prepared to pour our lives as a libation. (Phil. 2:17) And yet what is at the heart of these readings is that our courage and trust in the Lord will allow us to be like Paul and proclaim that our boast for the day of Christ may be that we did not labor in vain.

Lord, help us to look at our joys and struggles today, so that we might see them as not as separating us from the love of God. Help us to see that the labor of our life is how we recognize you as our light and our salvation. If we believe this Lord; then of whom should we be afraid?

- Michael Montgomery