Philippians 2.5-30
He knows
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,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
This reading, frequently repeated in the Liturgy of Hours, is one that I loved to read aloud with my fellow seminarians. I raised my voice above everyone else at the part that says "Jesus Christ is Lord!". I hold this dear to my heart for several reasons, my time in the seminary is one.
Another reason is the picture that is painted. Jesus was God and man. He was like us in every way. Perhaps in ways the Church would not wish us to acknowledge. He felt what we felt, bled like we bleed, loved like we love. The entire gamut of human emotions were present in him. If we ever had someone who can comprehend how we feel, it is Jesus. The anguish we suffer at the loss of a loved one, he felt. The frustration and perhaps even anger at the inordinate attention to rules over love - he felt. The love of His father burned in him and His love for us burned in his heart, that sacred heart.
And yet, He was the son of God, not unlike the fact that we are children of God, and He humbled himslef like no one before him. He did it all for us and for each one of us. He loves us so.
Although we too are children of God and we should be exalted, it is not our place to do so. We are called to be humble and find joy and peace in knowing we are specially created and loved, that we hold a special place in the creators heart. We should act as slaves, servants to all, putting ourself after others.
This is pretty tough stuff I suppose, sometimes it's easier than others. Say, with someone you love dearly. What we need to remember is that Jesus loves everyone else at least as much as He loves us. The beauty we have trouble seeing in someone else, Jesus sees clearly. Lastly. if it seems tough, know that we have a kindred spirit, Jesus knows what we know and he has felt what we felt.
He knows.
Another reason is the picture that is painted. Jesus was God and man. He was like us in every way. Perhaps in ways the Church would not wish us to acknowledge. He felt what we felt, bled like we bleed, loved like we love. The entire gamut of human emotions were present in him. If we ever had someone who can comprehend how we feel, it is Jesus. The anguish we suffer at the loss of a loved one, he felt. The frustration and perhaps even anger at the inordinate attention to rules over love - he felt. The love of His father burned in him and His love for us burned in his heart, that sacred heart.
And yet, He was the son of God, not unlike the fact that we are children of God, and He humbled himslef like no one before him. He did it all for us and for each one of us. He loves us so.
Although we too are children of God and we should be exalted, it is not our place to do so. We are called to be humble and find joy and peace in knowing we are specially created and loved, that we hold a special place in the creators heart. We should act as slaves, servants to all, putting ourself after others.
This is pretty tough stuff I suppose, sometimes it's easier than others. Say, with someone you love dearly. What we need to remember is that Jesus loves everyone else at least as much as He loves us. The beauty we have trouble seeing in someone else, Jesus sees clearly. Lastly. if it seems tough, know that we have a kindred spirit, Jesus knows what we know and he has felt what we felt.
He knows.
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