Readings: Philippians 2:5-11; Psalm 22; Luke 14:15-24
In the First Reading of today, St. Paul gives us a very powerful counsel. He says, “In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.” He then goes ahead with the powerful Christological hymn of Christ’s condescension and exaltation (Kenosis and pleroma).
This morning, let us reflect on having the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Which mindset is Paul talking about it?
I will just reflect on two points:
I. The humility of Christ:
His state was divine; He was in the form of God but He didn’t cling to this. He assumed the condition of a slave.
As Christians, we need this mindset of Christ, not clinging to who we are or what we have, not rubbing our achievements in people’s faces or blowing our own trumpet, not feeling too exalted to do simple things for others, not looking down on people or being too full of ourselves, not feeling we must be the one to lead, to control and speak to others and that we must not be preached to, corrected, led or taught what to do. The mindset of humility is the mindset of Christ. Pride and self worship is not divine.
II. The obedience of Christ
Christ was so submissive in His humanity to the Father, even to accepting death. He accepted the Father’s will totally, without rebellion or question. This is the mindset that God wants us to have – the mindset that obeys God and submits to God’s will and ways without resistance or excuses.
The attitude of those invited to the banquet in today’s Gospel is sometimes our response to God. We give excuses, we want to resist God’s invitation and plans, we want God to accept our will and allow things go our way.
The ending of Paul’s hymn today is a significant statement. He says, “every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord.” To be Lord means to be the Master. If we understand that Jesus is the Master, not us, if we understand Jesus as our good, kind and loving Master, who wills our good and works all things for our good, then obedience to Him won’t be so difficult.
I end as I have started, “in your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.”
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on November 5, 2024