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Homily on Philippians 3;8-19
We are coming to the feast of the Theophany, ”the revelation of God,” and with it the great blessing of water. Our Generations of Faith session this weekend is looking again at the great mystery of baptism, the very reason why water was originally so solemnly blessed in our tradition for this coming feast. And by taking this baptismal water to our homes to drink it, and cook with it, and bless our houses, we are not only reminded of our baptism but we should also be renewing our baptismal vows. With that in mind I want to look at one of the letters of St. Paul that we have not examined in this Year of St. Paul, the letter to the Philippians.
Saint Paul had visited the city of Philippi in Macedonia a few times on his missionary journeys and had been very well received. More than that, the Philippians had developed such a respect and affection for Paul that they would send him support, resources to fund his work, and Paul was very appreciative for that. He clearly developed a deep affection for the Philippians in return.
The letter, probably written sometime around the year 57, is a friendly and somewhat informal letter, and yet it contains some of the most heart-stirring insights that Paul has to share, including the words in chapter two for what was probably a hymn in praise of the humility of Jesus. Some scholars think this letter might be a collection of some jottings set down by Paul, or someone who heard him, and passed on to the Philippians, perhaps as a token of gratitude—a thank you note—for their kindness and support. But the letter does contain some very deep insights which I would like to share with you in view of our look at baptism.
I point out a passage just read in the Liturgy this past week, found in chapter three, in verses 8 to 19. Paul says, “I consider everything as nothing compared to the surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I suffer the loss of everything—although I consider it to be nothing but waste now anyway—so that I might gain Christ, and be found in him.” Notice the last phrase, “that I be found in him.” It reminds me of a child in the womb, taking its nourishment and the materials to form its body from its mother. When we are baptized we are joined to Christ and we draw from him those things that transform us. But baptism is far more than that. It is a mutual encounter between Christ and the individual, more akin to marriage where “the two become one flesh.”
Paul continues that he does not look for “my righteousness from the law, but through the faith of Christ: the righteousness that comes to faith from God.” Look closely; the Greek text does not say “faith in Christ,” but the “faith of Christ.” Christ believes in me, and in each of you individually. As the Paul says in his letter to the Romans (5;10), “if while we were still his enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; now—much more—we shall be saved by his life.” Christ was motivated by his conviction that we could respond to his grace. He has faith in us.
The next phrase I want to highlight follows. Paul says this “righteousness comes to faith from God.” Look carefully. The Greek text says this new righteousness “comes to faith,” not “from faith.” When we believe, God accepts us with unimaginable love and this is what makes us righteous before him. It is like an individual who still keeps and cherishes a broken or worn object simply because it has what we call sentimental value. Our profession of faith opens a relationship with God from which we draw his inestimable love.
After laying out the implications of this new relationship and admitting he is far from taking all it offers, Paul make this crescendo to the passage. “I press on to see if I can grasp that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” In other words, I work to take hold of whatever made Christ Jesus take hold of me. The imagery is dramatic, dynamic. Christ Jesus reached out and grabbed me! He picked me out of the crowd and gave himself to me. This is the heart and soul of baptism. The passage ends with Paul stating his determination. “Forgetting what is behind me, I reach out to what lies ahead—the goal I am pursuing for the prize of being called up by God in Christ Jesus.” My last remark today; notice the final phrase, being “called up by God in Christ.” As Christ once stood on the mountain and “called his disciples to him,” so he has called us. We speak of men being “called up” in a military draft to serve their country, so has God called us. That God calls us to come to him in and through Christ is an honor beyond any other, prestige and status inestimable. Let us join Paul in “reaching out to what lies ahead.”