Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (To the Greater Glory of God)
For: Friday, November 5, 2010
31st Week in Ordinary Time
From: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Citizens of Heaven
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[17] Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an
example in us. [18] For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you
even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their end is destruc-
tion, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on ear-
thly things. [20] But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Sa-
vior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will change our lowly body to be like his glo-
rious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Exhortation to Perseverance and Joy
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[1] Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand
firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
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Commentary:
17. The Apostle's teaching goes further than to list a series of truths and rules
for moral behavior: he backs this up with his own life in the service of the Gospel,
and, through it, all men; this is what makes his preaching arresting and convin-
cing.
There is no better teaching than the teacher's own example," St John Chrysos-
tom exclaims, commenting on this passage; "by taking this course the teacher
is sure of getting his disciple to follow him. Speak wisely, instruct as eloquently
as you can ..., but your example will make a greater impression, will be more
decisive.... When your actions are in line with your words, nobody will be able
to find fault with you" ("Hom. on Phil, ad loc.").
This, then, is the standard Christians should aim at. It will help those they come
in contact with to learn how to be hard-working, noble, loyal and sincere people,
or at least to tend in that direction.
One can see from this verse, as from many other passages in his letters, that St
Paul refers to himself now as "me", now as "us". In the second case he is proba-
bly also referring to his co-workers; these they should also imitate, for like him
they are imitators of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 4:17). it is quite likely that he is thinking
particularly of Timothy, whose name he put alongside his own at the head of this
letter -- and whom he praised in glorious terms in the previous chapter (cf. Phil
2:19, 22).
Imitation of the saints is a very good way to equip oneself to serve others. "Most
earnestly, then, we exhort you", Pius XII says, "be very solicitous for the salva-
tion of those whom Providence has entrusted to your apostolic labors, maintai-
ning throughout the closest union with our divine Redeemer, by whose strength
we can do all things (cf. Phil 4:13). It is our ardent desire, beloved sons, that you
may emulate those saintly men of old who, by the immensity of their achieve-
ment, bore witness to the power of divine grace. Would that each of you could
on the evidence of the faithful attribute to himself in humble sincerity the words
of the Apostle: 'I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls' (2 Cor
12:15)" ("Menti Nostrae", 31).
18-19. St Paul points to the bad example given by those (cf. v. 2) who, by uphol-
ding false doctrines or abusing their Christian freedom, lead a life steeped in vice;
they let themselves be controlled by their sensual appetites and they set their
hearts on things which enslave them, which should rather make them blush.
They are enemies of Christ's cross.
"They glory in their own shame": they take pride in behavior which is shameful.
This may also be an allusion to circumcision, for Judaizers were proud of a mark
which decency keeps covered.
20-21. "It is nature, flawed by sin, that begets all the citizens of the earthly city,
whereas it is grace alone which frees nature from sin, which begets citizens of
the heavenly city" ("De Civitate Dei", 15, 2). Christians are "citizens of heaven"
and therefore are called to live a life that is joyful and full of hope, as befits chil-
dren of God.
The effort to live in a manner worthy of members of the commonwealth of heaven
is aided by hope in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory. The Pa-
rousia, as well as the passion and death of Christ and his subsequent resurrec-
tion, are constant themes in the Apostle's preaching. Reflection on these mys-
teries helps us to have hope and gives us encouragement in our everyday strug-
gle.
Christ's resurrection is the cause of our resurrection, for "Christ has been raised
from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man
came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead" (1 Cor 15:
20-21). An essential prerequisite for attaining resurrection in glory is the effort to
identify with Christ, in both joy and suffering, in both life and death. "If we have
died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with
him" (2 Tim 2:12). Christ is the Lord of all creation; his authority extends over
the entire universe (cf. Col 1:15-20). If we make the effort that fidelity requires,
he will take our body, which is weak and subject to illness, death and decay,
and transform it into a glorious body.
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States. We encourage readers to purchase
The Navarre Bible for personal study. See Scepter Publishers for details.
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