Philippians
“The Community of the Gospel,” Philippians 1:3-14, 2/28/21
1 Acts 16:12
13 Acts 28:30; Ephesians 3:1
14 Mark 13:11
27 Mark 1:15
30 Acts 16:19-40
6 Ted Loder, Guerrillas of Grace, p. 76
Guerrillas of Grace
O God, complete the work you have begun in me.
Release through me
a flow of mercy and gentleness that will bring
water where there is desert,
healing where there is hurt
peace where there is violence,
beauty where there is ugliness,
justice where there is brokenness,
beginnings where there are dead-ends.
6 Rainer Maria Rilke, “II,1,” Book of Hours, p. 96
“II,1”
9 Hafiz, The Gift, p. 36
The Gift
9 Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step, p. 79 (79-85)
9 Bertrand Russel, What I Believe, quoted in Brain Pickings
What I Believe
The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. Neither love without knowledge, nor knowledge without love can produce a good life.
Although both love and knowledge are necessary, love is in a sense more fundamental, since it will lead intelligent people to seek knowledge, in order to find out how to benefit those whom they love. But if people are not intelligent, they will be content to believe what they have been told, and may do harm in spite of the most genuine benevolence.
15-18 Daniel C. Dennett, Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking, p. 27
Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking
15-18 Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner, Think Like a Freak, p. 115
Think like a Freak
15-18 Rainer Maria Rilke, “July 16th, 1903,” Letters to a Young Poet, p. 38
“July 16th, 1903”
19-26 Franz Wright, “Everyone’s Elegy,” God’s Silence, p. 47
“Everyone’s Elegy”
… And only You
know which group, the spared or murdered,
represent the doomed and which
the blessed—
the ones in the fire burned
clean of themselves, or those still remaining here
in this shocking place that more or less randomly vanished them. In any event
blessed are the alone, for they shall be
befriended and blessed
the dead
for we shall live, …
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel thus about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14 and most of the brethren have been made confident in the Lord because of my imprisonment, and are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of partisanship, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice.
19 Yes, and I shall rejoice. For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear omen to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict which you saw and now hear to be mine.
1:1 παυλος και τιμοθεος δουλοι ιησου χριστου
πασιν τοις αγιοις εν χριστω ιησου τοις ουσιν εν φιλιπποις συν επισκοποις και διακονοις
1:2 χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη απο θεου πατρος ημων και κυριου ιησου χριστου
1:3 ευχαριστω τω θεω μου επι παση τη μνεια υμων 1:4 παντοτε εν παση δεησει μου υπερ παντων υμων μετα χαρας την δεησιν ποιουμενος 1:5 επι τη κοινωνια υμων εις το ευαγγελιον απο πρωτης ημερας αχρι του νυν 1:6 πεποιθως αυτο τουτο οτι ο εναρξαμενος εν υμιν εργον αγαθον επιτελεσει αχρις ημερας χριστου ιησου 1:7 καθως εστιν δικαιον εμοι τουτο φρονειν υπερ παντων υμων δια το εχειν με εν τη καρδια υμας εν τε τοις δεσμοις μου και εν τη απολογια και βεβαιωσει του ευαγγελιου συγκοινωνους μου της χαριτος παντας υμας οντας 1:8 μαρτυς γαρ μου εστιν ο θεος ως επιποθω παντας υμας εν σπλαγχνοις ιησου χριστου 1:9 και τουτο προσευχομαι ινα η αγαπη υμων ετι μαλλον και μαλλον περισσευη εν επιγνωσει και παση αισθησει 1:10 εις το δοκιμαζειν υμας τα διαφεροντα ινα ητε ειλικρινεις και απροσκοποι εις ημεραν χριστου 1:11 πεπληρωμενοι καρπων δικαιοσυνης των δια ιησου χριστου εις δοξαν και επαινον θεου
1:12 γινωσκειν δε υμας βουλομαι αδελφοι οτι τα κατ εμε μαλλον εις προκοπην του ευαγγελιου εληλυθεν 1:13 ωστε τους δεσμους μου φανερους εν χριστω γενεσθαι εν ολω τω πραιτωριω και τοις λοιποις πασιν 1:14 και τους πλειονας των αδελφων εν κυριω πεποιθοτας τοις δεσμοις μου περισσοτερως τολμαν αφοβως τον λογον λαλειν
1:15 τινες μεν και δια φθονον και εριν τινες δε και δι ευδοκιαν τον χριστον κηρυσσουσιν 1:16 οι μεν εξ εριθειας τον χριστον καταγγελλουσιν ουχ αγνως οιομενοι θλιψιν επιφερειν τοις δεσμοις μου 1:17 οι δε εξ αγαπης ειδοτες οτι εις απολογιαν του ευαγγελιου κειμαι 1:18 τι γαρ πλην παντι τροπω ειτε προφασει ειτε αληθεια χριστος καταγγελλεται
και εν τουτω χαιρω αλλα και χαρησομαι 1:19 οιδα γαρ οτι τουτο μοι αποβησεται εις σωτηριαν δια της υμων δεησεως και επιχορηγιας του πνευματος ιησου χριστου 1:20 κατα την αποκαραδοκιαν και ελπιδα μου οτι εν ουδενι αισχυνθησομαι αλλ εν παση παρρησια ως παντοτε και νυν μεγαλυνθησεται χριστος εν τω σωματι μου ειτε δια ζωης ειτε δια θανατου 1:21 εμοι γαρ το ζην χριστος και το αποθανειν κερδος 1:22 ει δε το ζην εν σαρκι τουτο μοι καρπος εργου και τι αιρησομαι ου γνωριζω 1:23 συνεχομαι δε εκ των δυο την επιθυμιαν εχων εις το αναλυσαι και συν χριστω ειναι πολλω μαλλον κρεισσον 1:24 το δε επιμενειν εν τη σαρκι αναγκαιοτερον δι υμας 1:25 και τουτο πεποιθως οιδα οτι μενω και συμπαραμενω πασιν υμιν εις την υμων προκοπην και χαραν της πιστεως 1:26 ινα το καυχημα υμων περισσευη εν χριστω ιησου εν εμοι δια της εμης παρουσιας παλιν προς υμας
1:27 μονον αξιως του ευαγγελιου του χριστου πολιτευεσθε ινα ειτε ελθων και ιδων υμας ειτε απων ακουσω τα περι υμων οτι στηκετε εν ενι πνευματι μια ψυχη συναθλουντες τη πιστει του ευαγγελιου 1:28 και μη πτυρομενοι εν μηδενι υπο των αντικειμενων ητις αυτοις μεν εστιν ενδειξις απωλειας υμιν δε σωτηριας και τουτο απο θεου 1:29 οτι υμιν εχαρισθη το υπερ χριστου ου μονον το εις αυτον πιστευειν αλλα και το υπερ αυτου πασχειν 1:30 τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον αβεν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι
Walter Brueggemann, Finally Comes the Poet, p. 108-109
Finally Comes the Poet
John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 288-291
In Search of Paul
… did kenosis have implications for the subsequent exaltation process? Was it just a case of accepting crucifixion and then obtaining exaltation, or did that kenotic crucifixion establish a very different mode of exaltation? Did that downward kenosis forever change the upward exaltation in its type, its mode, and its practice? In other words, is the Lordship of Christ, now in Christian heaven, irrevocably different from the Lordship of Caesar, now in Roman heaven? …
Third, does that paradox of kenotic exaltation reflect not only God’s Kingdom on earth, but also God’s character in heaven? Is Kenosis not just about Christ, but about God? … Is kenosis, therefore, not a passing exercise in ultimate obedience, but a permanent revelation about the nature of God? … Does, then, a kenotic Son reveal a kenotic Father, a kenotic Christ image a kenotic God? (p. 290)
George Herbert, “Dialogue,” The Selected Poetry of George Herbert, p. 167 f.
“Dialogue”
Sweetest Savior, if my soul
Were but worth the having,
Quickly should I then control
Any thought of waiving.
But when all my care and pains
Cannot give the name of gains
To thy wretch so full of stains,
What delight or home remains?
What, Child, is the balance thine,
Thine the poise and measure?
If I say, Thou shalt be mine;
Finger not my treasure.
What the gains in having thee
Do amount to, only he,
Who for man was sold, can see;
That transferred th’ accounts to me.
But as I can see no merit,
Leading to this favour:
So the way to fit me for it
Is beyond my savour.
As the reason then is thine;
So the way is none of mine:
I disclaim the whole design:
Sin disclaims and I resign.
That is all, if that I could
Get without repining;
And my clay, my creature would
Follow my resigning.
That as I did freely part
with my glory and desert,
Left all joys to feel all smart—
Ah! no more: thou breakst my heart.
Therese of Lissieux, Leadership (October 1991), p. 63
Leadership
Martin Luther, “The Freedom of a Christian,” Three Treatises, p. 301-303
“The Freedom of a Christian”
Although the Christian is thus free from all works, he ought in this liberty to empty himself, take upon himself the form of a servant, be made in the likeness of men, be found in human form, and serve, help, and in every way deal with his neighbor as he see that God through Christ has dealt and still deals with him.
Thomas Merton, The Wisdom of the Desert, p. 52-54
The Wisdom of the Desert
John of Thebes said: The monk must be, before all else, humble. This is the first commandment of the Lord, who said: Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (p. 52)
Once Abbot Macarius was on his way home to his cell from the marshes carrying reeds, and he met the devil with a reaper’s sickle in his path. The devil tried to get him with the sickle and couldn’t. And he said: I suffer great violence from you Macarius because I cannot overcome you. For see, I do all things that you do. You fast and I eat nothing at all. You watch and I never sleep. But there is one thing alone in which you overcome me. Abbot Macarius said to him: What is that? Your humility, the devil replied, for because of it I cannot overcome you. (p. 52 f.)
Abbot Pastor said: A man must breathe humility and the fear of God just as ceaselessly as he inhales and exhales air.
Abbot Alonius said: Humility is the land where God wants us to go and offer sacrifice.
One of the elders was asked what was humility and he said: If you forgive a brother who has injured you before he himself asks pardon. (p. 53)
A brother asked one of the elders: What is humility? The elder answered him: To do good to those who do evil to you. The brother asked: Supposing a man cannot go that far, what should he do? The elder replied: Let him get away from them and keep his mouth shut. (p. 53 f.)
May Sarton, “Santos: New Mexico,” Sarton Selected, p. 103
1-11 Matthew 5:3
9-11 Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11
10-11 Revelation 5:13
10 Isaiah 66:23
1-5 R. H. Blyth, Haiku, Vol. 1, p. 230
Haiku
1-5 Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “His Love in Two More Ways,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 163-167
5 Samuel Terrien, The Elusive Presence, p. 459
5-11 Samuel Terrien, The Elusive Presence, p. 459-463
The Elusive Presence
5-8 Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hymn of the Universe, p. 64 f.
Hymn of the Universe
Purity does not lie in separation from, but in a deeper penetration into the universe. It is to be found in the love of that unique, boundless, Essence which penetrates the inmost depths of all things, and there, from within those depths deeper than the mortal zone where individuals and multitudes struggle, works upon them and moulds them. Purity lies in a chaste contact with that which is ‘the same in all.’
5-11 Hafiz, The Gift, p. 85
The Gift
6-11 Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water, p. 123
Walking on Water
Artist and saint alike grope in awe to comprehend the incomprehensible disproportion of the glory of God and the humility of the Incarnation: the Master of the Universe, become of the earth, earthy, in order to be one with his creatures so that we may be one with him. (p. 123)
[Me: If we make the jump to “so that he may be with us and we with him,” then we can begin to feel our way into this mystery.]
6-11 Ian Pitt-Watson, “From Philippians 2:6-11,” Monday Morning (6/1/89), p. 18
“From Philippians 2:6-11”
Let this mind be in us that was in him
Who was by nature God’s eternal Son,
Yet did not claim the glory as his own.
Hallelujah!
He came to us in humbleness of heart,
And willingly he took a servant’s part,
and made of common life a perfect art.Hallelujah!
He came to us in human form displayed,
Obediently the sacrifice he made,
And on the cross for our salvation paid.
Hallelujah!
So God has raised him to the highest height,
To him has given a name, as is his right,
Above all names, Jesus, our heart’s delight.
Hallelujah!
The name of Jesus is the name we sing,
O’er heaven and earth and hell, victorious king;
Let all creation to him homage bring.
Hallelujah!
Let every tongue confess with one accord,
To God be glory for his gracious Word,
The Word made flesh in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hallelujah!
6-11 John Michael Talbot, “Canticle Philippians,” Chant from the Hermitage, p. track 19
6-8 Mohandas Gandhi, The Essential Gandhi, p. 136 f.
The Essential Gandhi
6-8 Elwane McKeen, “The Greatest of These,” Sermon text
“The Greatest of These”
6-7 Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace, p. 113
Circle of Grace
6-8 Francis Patrick Sullivan, “The Christa Crucifix,” A Time To Sow, p. 90
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2:1 ει τις ουν παρακλησις εν χριστω ει τι παραμυθιον αγαπης ει τις κοινωνια πνευματος ει τις σπλαγχνα και οικτιρμοι 2:2 πληρωσατε μου την χαραν ινα το αυτο φρονητε την αυτην αγαπην εχοντες συμψυχοι το εν φρονουντες 2:3 μηδεν κατα εριθειαν η κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων 2:4 μη τα εαυτων εκαστος σκοπειτε αλλα και τα ετερων εκαστος 2:5 τουτο γαρ φρονεισθω εν υμιν ο και εν χριστω ιησου 2:6 ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω 2:7 αλλ εαυτον εκενωσεν μορφην δουλου λαβων εν ομοιωματι ανθρωπων γενομενος 2:8 2:8 και σχηματι ευρεθεις ως ανθρωπος εταπεινωσεν εαυτον γενομενος υπηκοος μεχρι θανατου θανατου δε σταυρου 2:9 διο και ο θεος αυτον υπερυψωσεν και εχαρισατο αυτω ονομα το υπερ παν ονομα 2:10 ινα εν τω ονοματι ιησου παν γονυ καμψη επουρανιων και επιγειων και καταχθονιων 2:11 και πασα γλωσσα εξομολογησηται οτι κυριος ιησους χριστος εις δοξαν θεου πατρος
12 John Keats, Footprints, p. 45
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. 20 I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare. 21 They all look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But Timothy’s worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself shall come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphrodi’tus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me.
2:12 ωστε αγαπητοι μου καθως παντοτε υπηκουσατε μη ως εν τη παρουσια μου μονον αλλα νυν πολλω μαλλον εν τη απουσια μου μετα φοβου και τρομου την εαυτων σωτηριαν κατεργαζεσθε 2:13 ο θεος γαρ εστιν ο ενεργων εν υμιν και το θελειν και το ενεργειν υπερ της ευδοκιας
2:14 παντα ποιειτε χωρις γογγυσμων και διαλογισμων 2:15 ινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμητα εν μεσω γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω 2:16 λογον ζωης επεχοντες εις καυχημα εμοι εις ημεραν χριστου οτι ουκ εις κενον εδραμον ουδε εις κενον εκοπιασα 2:17 αλλ ει και σπενδομαι επι τη θυσια και λειτουργια της πιστεως υμων χαιρω και συγχαιρω πασιν υμιν 2:18 το δ αυτο και υμεις χαιρετε και συγχαιρετε μοι
2:19 ελπιζω δε εν κυριω ιησου τιμοθεον ταχεως πεμψαι υμιν ινα καγω ευψυχω γνους τα περι υμων 2:20 ουδενα γαρ εχω ισοψυχον οστις γνησιως τα περι υμων μεριμνησει 2:21 οι παντες γαρ τα εαυτων ζητουσιν ου τα χριστου ιησου 2:22 την δε δοκιμην αυτου γινωσκετε οτι ως πατρι τεκνον συν εμοι εδουλευσεν εις το ευαγγελιον 2:23 τουτον μεν ουν ελπιζω πεμψαι ως αν απιδω τα περι εμε εξαυτης 2:24 πεποιθα δε εν κυριω οτι και αυτος ταχεως ελευσομαι
2:25 αναγκαιον δε ηγησαμην επαφροδιτον τον αδελφον και συνεργον και συστρατιωτην μου υμων δε αποστολον και λειτουργον της χρειας μου πεμψαι προς υμας 2:26 επειδη επιποθων ην παντας υμας και αδημονων διοτι ηκουσατε οτι ησθενησεν 2:27 και γαρ ησθενησεν παραπλησιον θανατω αλλα ο θεος αυτον ηλεησεν ουκ αυτον δε μονον αλλα και εμε ινα μη λυπην επι λυπην σχω 2:28 σπουδαιοτερως ουν επεμψα αυτον ινα ιδοντες αυτον παλιν χαρητε καγω αλυποτερος ω 2:29 προσδεχεσθε ουν αυτον εν κυριω μετα πασης χαρας και τους τοιουτους εντιμους εχετε 2:30 οτι δια το εργον του χριστου μεχρι θανατου ηγγισεν παραβουλευσαμενος τη ψυχη ινα αναπληρωση το υμων υστερημα της προς με λειτουργιας
5 Acts 23:6, 26:5; Romans 11:1
6 Acts 8:3, 22:4, 26:9-11
17 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1
21 1 Corinthians 15:35-38
6 John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 5
In Search of Paul
“Zeal” indicates religious vigilantism based on personal and individual responsibility after the model and in the tradition of Phineas, who in Numbers 25:6-8, slew an Israelite and the Midianite woman he had married. That is how, for example, the treatise The Special Laws by the contemporary Jewish philosopher Philo understands such religious “zeal.” It allows any outraged person “to exact the penalties offhand and with no delay without bringing the offender before jury or council or any kind of magistrate at all” (1.55).
7-11 Pattiann Rogers, “The Process;” “The Need to Adore,” Song of the World Becoming, p. 375, 382
“The Process;” “The Need to Adore”
“The Process”
And what remained—her face, her visage
reflective, transparent as sky—she gave
and even her word, her name, its echo,
until all, everything was given and everything
received, and she was no one,
gone, nothing,
god.
“The Need to Adore”
There is a need, my obsession, to submit
wholly, without reservation, to give entirely
to something lucent enough and strict enough,
fabled enough and fervent enough to encompass
all of these at once, something rudimentary
enough to let me enter, something
complete enough to let me go.
7-9 H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 87 f.
8-11 C. G. Jung, The Undiscovered Self, p. 52
The Undiscovered Self
It would also be the task of the confessor zealous in the cure of souls, were it not that his office inevitably obliges him to apply the yardstick of his denominational bias at the critical moment. … The only time this does not happen is when the religious symbol, for instance the model life of Christ, is understood concretely and felt by the individual to be adequate.
12 John Wesley, “Christian Perfection,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 505-529
12-21 Frederick Buechner, “Message in the Stars,” The Magnificient Defeat, p. 44-50
12-16 Carla De Sola, The Spirit Moves, p. 138-139 (Ritual of Retirement)
13 Wang Weifan, Lilies of the Field, p. 54
Lilies of the Field
When the glory of spring is spread before us, can we really want to be a withered tree? As a thousand sails sweep by can we be content to be a sunken ship?
Lord awaken our souls. Save us from exhaustion and confusion that we no longer rest beneath our own broom tree, but relying on the strength we have from God, continue to run the course that is set before us.
19 Eric Ormsby, “For a Modest God,” The New Yorker (September 20, 1997)
“For a Modest God”
That fresh towels invigorate our cheeks,
that spoons tingle in allotted spots,
that forks melodeon the guested air,
that knives prove benign to fingertips,
that our kitchen have the sweet rasp of harmonicas,
that stately sloshings cadence the dishwasher,
that lobsters be reprieved in all the tanks
and mushrooms fetched from caverns for the light,
and that the oil of gladness glisten down
the chins of matriarchs, anoint the crib,
that there be aprons of capacious cloth
enveloping the laps of nimble chefs,
that our sauces thicken on the day of fasts,
that the hearth cat frisk his whiskers and attend,
that no domestic terror smite our minds,
that midnights be benignant with a god’s
oven mitts and spatulas and solace-broths:
a little god, a little, modest god, a
godkin in a shriven cupboard, Lares-
palmable and orderly, presiding
over the hierarchies of the silverware,
our platters’ strata, and our serving spoons;
a small, dull god, ignorant of thunder,
attuned to nothing somberer than the trills
when all our crockery trembles to the fault
of obscure, dimly rumorous calamities.
20 Francis Patrick Sullivan, “Carnal Knowledge,” A Time To Sow, p. 77
21 Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, The Divine Milieu, p. 67
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.
To write the same things to you is not irksome to me, and is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil-workers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.
If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, 6 as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless.
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
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 destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.
3:1 το λοιπον αδελφοι μου χαιρετε εν κυριω
τα αυτα γραφειν υμιν εμοι μεν ουκ οκνηρον υμιν δε ασφαλες
3:2 βλεπετε τους κυνας βλεπετε τους κακους εργατας βλεπετε την κατατομην 3:3 ημεις γαρ εσμεν η περιτομη οι πνευματι θεου λατρευοντες και καυχωμενοι εν χριστω ιησου και ουκ εν σαρκι πεποιθοτες 3:4 καιπερ εγω εχων πεποιθησιν και εν σαρκι
ει τις δοκει αλλος πεποιθεναι εν σαρκι εγω μαλλον 3:5 περιτομη οκταημερος εκ γενους ισραηλ φυλης βενιαμιν εβραιος εξ εβραιων κατα νομον φαρισαιος 3:6 κατα ζηλον διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος
3:7 αλλ ατινα ην μοι κερδη ταυτα ηγημαι δια τον χριστον ζημιαν 3:8 αλλα μεν ουν και ηγουμαι παντα ζημιαν ειναι δια το υπερεχον της γνωσεως χριστου ιησου του κυριου μου δι ον τα παντα εζημιωθην και ηγουμαι σκυβαλα ειναι ινα χριστον κερδησω 3:9 και ευρεθω εν αυτω μη εχων εμην δικαιοσυνην την εκ νομου αλλα την δια πιστεως χριστου την εκ θεου δικαιοσυνην επι τη πιστει 3:10 του γνωναι αυτον και την δυναμιν της αναστασεως αυτου και την κοινωνιαν των παθηματων αυτου συμμορφουμενος τω θανατω αυτου 3:11 ει πως καταντησω εις την εξαναστασιν των νεκρων
3:12 ουχ οτι ηδη ελαβον η ηδη τετελειωμαι διωκω δε ει και καταλαβω εφ ω και κατεληφθην υπο του χριστου ιησου 3:13 αδελφοι εγω εμαυτον ου λογιζομαι κατειληφεναι εν δε τα μεν οπισω επιλανθανομενος τοις δε εμπροσθεν επεκτεινομενος 3:14 κατα σκοπον διωκω επι το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου 3:15 οσοι ουν τελειοι τουτο φρονωμεν και ει τι ετερως φρονειτε και τουτο ο θεος υμιν αποκαλυψει 3:16 πλην εις ο εφθασαμεν τω αυτω στοιχειν κανονι το αυτο φρονειν
3:17 συμμιμηται μου γινεσθε αδελφοι και σκοπειτε τους ουτως περιπατουντας καθως εχετε τυπον ημας 3:18 πολλοι γαρ περιπατουσιν ους πολλακις ελεγον υμιν νυν δε και κλαιων λεγω τους εχθρους του σταυρου του χριστου 3:19 ων το τελος απωλεια ων ο θεος η κοιλια και η δοξα εν τη αισχυνη αυτων οι τα επιγεια φρονουντες 3:20 ημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον 3:21 ος μετασχηματισει το σωμα της ταπεινωσεως ημων εις το γενεσθαι αυτο συμμορφον τω σωματι της δοξης αυτου κατα την ενεργειαν του δυνασθαι αυτον και υποταξαι εαυτω τα παντα
5 Mark 1:15
6 1 Timothy 2:1
12 Matthew 5:3
15-16 2 Corinthians 11:9
16 Acts 17:1
18 Exodus 29:18
1-7 Frederick Buechner, “Message in the Stars,” The Magnificient Defeat, p. 44-50
4-7 Malcolm Muggeridge, Something Beautiful for God, p. 107
Something Beautiful for God
Malcolm: That is asking a lot, isn’t it? You ask these girls to live like the poorest of the poor, to devote all their time and energy and life to the service of the poor.
Mother Teresa: That is what they want to give. They want to give to God everything. They know very well that it’s to Christ the hungry and Christ the naked and Christ the homeless that they are doing it. And this conviction and this love is what makes the giving a joy. That’s why you see the Sisters are very happy. They are not forced to be happy; they are naturally happy because they feel that they have found what they have looked for.
4-7 Madeleine, L’Engle, “First Coming,” Imaging the Word, Vol. 1, p. 85
“First Coming”
God did not wait till the world was ready
till … nations were at peace
God came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.
God did not wait for the perfect time.
God came when the need was deep and great.
God dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. God did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy God came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
God came, and God’s Light would not go out.
God came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
5 Albert Schweitzer, A Place for Revelation, p. 94-111
6-8 H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 88 f.
7 Denise Levertov, “… That Passeth All Understanding,” Oblique Prayers, p. 85
“… That Passeth All Understanding”
7 Sundar Singh, Wisdom of the Sadhu, p. 170
Wisdom of the Sadhu
We are never satisfied with one thing for long. We always want to change our circumstances and environment. This restlessness stems from our deep inner awareness that the fleeting things of this world can never satisfy our souls, can never give us a sense of stable and unchanging fulfillment. Only when we turn to the Master will our desires be transformed, and perfect peace, the gift no one tires of, will reveal itself as the deepest longing of our hearts—indeed the soul’s only quest.
8-9 Shaker saying
8 Rita Dove, Grace Notes, p. 37
Grace Notes
8 William Stafford, Every War Has Two Losers, p. 32
8 W. B. Yeats, quoted in Standing by Words, p. 81
Standing by Words
10-14 G. K. Chesterton, quoted in Light for My Path, p. 30
Light for My Path
10-14 Phillips Brooks, “How to Abound,” and “How to be Abased,” The Light of the World, p. 140-176
15-17 Denise Levertov, “Immersion,” This Great Unknowing, p. 53
“Immersion”
15 My translation
1 Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 And I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. 13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving except you only; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent me help once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift; but I seek the fruit which increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
4:1 ωστε αδελφοι μου αγαπητοι και επιποθητοι χαρα και στεφανος μου ουτως στηκετε εν κυριω αγαπητοι
4:2 αβπαρακαλω και συντυχην παρακαλω το αυτο φρονειν εν κυριω 4:3 ναι ερωτω και σε συζυγε γνησιε συλλαμβανου αυταις αιτινες εν τω ευαγγελιω συνηθλησαν μοι μετα και κλημεντος και των λοιπων συνεργων μου ων τα ονοματα εν βιβλω ζωης
4:4 χαιρετε εν κυριω παντοτε παλιν ερω χαιρετε 4:5 το επιεικες υμων γνωσθητω πασιν ανθρωποις ο κυριος εγγυς 4:6 μηδεν μεριμνατε αλλ εν παντι τη προσευχη και τη δεησει μετα ευχαριστιας τα αιτηματα υμων γνωριζεσθω προς τον θεον 4:7 και η ειρηνη του θεου η υπερεχουσα παντα νουν φρουρησει τας καρδιας υμων και τα νοηματα υμων εν χριστω ιησου
4:8 το λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε 4:9 α και εμαθετε και παρελαβετε και ηκουσατε και ειδετε εν εμοι ταυτα πρασσετε και ο θεος της ειρηνης εσται μεθ υμων
4:10 εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε 4:11 ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι 4:12 οιδα αβταπεινουσθαι οιδα και περισσευειν εν παντι και εν πασιν μεμυημαι και χορταζεσθαι και πειναν και περισσευειν και υστερεισθαι 4:13 παντα ισχυω εν τω ενδυναμουντι με χριστω 4:14 πλην καλως εποιησατε συγκοινωνησαντες μου τη θλιψει
4:15 οιδατε δε και υμεις φιλιππησιοι οτι εν αρχη του ευαγγελιου οτε εξηλθον απο μακεδονιας ουδεμια μοι εκκλησια εκοινωνησεν εις λογον δοσεως και ληψεως ει μη υμεις μονοι 4:16 οτι και εν θεσσαλονικη και απαξ και δις εις την χρειαν μοι επεμψατε 4:17 ουχ οτι επιζητω το δομα αλλ επιζητω τον καρπον τον πλεοναζοντα εις λογον υμων 4:18 απεχω δε παντα και περισσευω πεπληρωμαι δεξαμενος παρα επαφροδιτου τα παρ υμων οσμην ευωδιας θυσιαν δεκτην ευαρεστον τω θεω 4:19 ο δε θεος μου πληρωσει πασαν χρειαν υμων κατα τον πλουτον αυτου εν δοξη εν χριστω ιησου 4:20 τω δε θεω και πατρι ημων η δοξα εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων αμην
4:21 ασπασασθε παντα αγιον εν χριστω ιησου ασπαζονται υμας οι συν εμοι αδελφοι 4:22 ασπαζονται υμας παντες οι αγιοι μαλιστα δε οι εκ της καισαρος οικιας
4:23 η χαρις του κυριου ιησου χριστου μετα παντων υμων αμην