Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
Paul’s letter to Philemon is probably one of the least familiar and shortest (just 25 verses) New Testament letters, but rather powerful in its message. Paul is writing to Philemon, a slave owner, about his slave, Onesimus, who ran away and ended up in prison with Paul. Onesimus became a Christian, apparently, while in prison with Paul who says Onesimus has become his “child,” and Paul, his father. Paul is now sending Onesimus back to Philemon as the law requires, but is also sending this letter, not only asking for Onesimus’ freedom but also challenging Philemon to think differently about his relationship with his slave. He is asking Philemon to, instead, accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ. Paul, rather persuasively, even refers to sending Onesimus as if he is sending “my own heart,” and offers to take on any debt of Onesimus’ as his own. It’s really beautiful how he is truly treating Onesimus as if he is his son.
Paul’s letter challenges the social structures of his time and challenges us to go beyond current cultural boundaries that prevent us from treating each other as equals in Christ. This brings to mind Paul’s letter to the Galatians that includes his revolutionary statement on Christian freedom: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” How does this challenge our personal and societal thinking and acting today?
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who is remembered in the Church on this date, is considered the Patroness of Immigrants. Sent by the pope with some other sisters from her congregation, Mother Cabrini immigrated to America from Italy where she became an American citizen and ministered to a large number of Italian immigrants. She and her sisters had a very difficult time in the beginning, but she was said to be “a real mother and friend” to the immigrants she met and served.
Both St. Paul and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini allowed God to work through them in their difficult circumstance. Paul in prison, and Mother Cabrini as an immigrant in a foreign land. And both treated those on the fringes of society as Jesus would: as child of their own, as a child of God.
In today’s gospel reading (Luke 17: 20-25), we hear Jesus’ words, “the Kingdom of God is among you.” Here, the emphasis has shifted from an imminent, observable coming of God’s kingdom (which his disciples were anticipating) to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Just as both Paul and Mother Cabrini continued to bring about the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ name through their lives, we are called to do the same, treating each other as our own sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, in Christ. In the words of Paul, as our “own heart.”
Let us pray and reflect on how we are being called this week to bring about true equality in Christ Jesus. May we trust in God’s Spirit and be strengthened to go beyond the boundaries that prevent such equality, treating each other as our own family in Christ.
- Eileen Miller