Catholic Scripture Study Series V
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CATHOLIC SCRIPTURE STUDY Catholic Scripture Study Notes written by Sister Marie Therese, are provided for the personal use of students during their active participa- tion and must not be loaned or given to others. SERIES V WISDOM LITERATURE AND NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS Lesson 20 Commentary Philippians Lesson 21 Questions Colossians PHILIPPIANS SPREAD THE GOSPEL Philippians INTRODUCTION A strong note of joy and hope fills this letter. It can be a source of inspiration to us in living our Philippi was a prominent town north and east faith and in attracting others to it by our own en- of Greece, made famous by Anthony’s defeat of thusiasm for it. This is Paul’s way—he saw it as Brutus and Cassius there. Around 50 A.D. Paul the great gift of his life, and he eagerly shared his founded a small mission at Philippi. By the time enthusiasm and, with his own deep love of Christ of this epistle, written during one of his impris- and what He had done for him, he brought nearly onments, the church at Philippi has “bishops and all the Roman Empire, the Gentile world, to deacons.” Christ and His Church. The Philippians were special to Paul, for they I. PAUL AND THE PHILIPPIANS (Philippi- had three times sent him an offering for his up- ans 1:3-30) keep, had sent Epaphroditus to help him, and had kept the unity of the faith. A. Paul’s Response (Philippians 1:3-11). The strong efforts of the Philippians to grow in Some believe that this letter, being rambling in the faith and to help Paul, bring him to remember its topics, is a combination of seven letters, which them “constantly,” rejoicing over them. They might indicate that Paul wrote more than once to have rushed to his help when he is in prison or these converts who were so dedicated to him. defending the Gospel as he goes about, preaching. Though he can not be with them, he speaks to A much-loved hymn, a favorite passage to God earnestly to bring them to love even more, Christians, on the humility of Christ, was highly and to grow, rejoicing in understanding and expe- valuable to the early Christians (Philippians 2:5- rience. 11). Paul wrote it or included it here. His challenge to them is also to us: “learn to value the things that really matter, up to the very © Copyright, 1990-1991 Catholic Scripture Study, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Series V Lesson 20 Page 2 day of Christ.” In these early days after Christ, him, preach in his absence. His disregard that there was a high expectation of His returning very some are not pleased with him comes from his soon. This resulted in an attitude toward their faith gratitude that “Christ is being proclaimed. That is and its practice, that put it first. They wanted to what brings me joy!” (Philippians 1:18). Could have lived it fully when coming before Christ. we rejoice in that situation? God has left the world awaiting Christ all these This intrepid apostle of the Redeemer declares: centuries, and our generation, like so many before “To me, life means Christ.” Living or dying, this us, think not too much of life ending on earth one is his only joy; though he admits that to be with day soon as Christ returns in majesty, ready to Christ is infinitely better, his love for Him is such judge us all. If weekly Sunday Mass is the extent that he wants to remain alive for the sake of those of our spiritual development, perhaps we are not who do not know Christ (Philippians 1:21). ready for judgment. This is the value of setting aside a yearly retreat, when for three days or a II. CHRISTIAN HEROISM (Philippians 1:27 week-end we “face up” to our life and our rela- - 2:18) tionship to God, renewing ourselves in body and soul. Morning Mass or when evening Mass is of- A. Unity and Effort. Christians, to be worthy fered, is an oasis for us, a time of quiet and peace of Christ, need unity in spirit while exerting them- and “refilling” our spiritual life. Another food the selves for the faith. Our own thirteen colonies Church has for us is the “Prayer of the Church,” came to understand the importance of unity in with its arrangement of the Psalms for morning or their belief and hopes; “Together we stand; divid- evening, for Advent, Lent or ordinary days. Just ed we fall,” they decided. ten minutes with this book can be refreshment better than a cold drink! What about opposition? It only means down- fall for the opponents of Christ and His Christians, There are copies of this available in Catholic and salvation for them, not only salvation, but book stores. growth resulting in a more glorious heaven. Finally, Paul’s wish is “that you may be found It is a special privilege, teaches Paul, not only rich in the harvest of justice which Jesus Christ to “take Christ’s part but to suffer for him.” Don’t has ripened in you, to the glory and praise of fear suffering for Christ, it is powerful for your God” (Philippians 1:11). This kind of being rich is future and for the Church. God’s intentions for the very best kind, this rich harvest of “justice” you are full of grace. (meaning the goodness and worth of our life be- fore God) is all that finally will count with us and B. Our Attitude (Philippians 2:1-18). To for us. the Christian community at Philippi Paul asks for unanimity in the one love, in spirit and ideals. To B. Carrying on for Paul (Philippians achieve that, we must not “act out of rivalry, or 1:12-26). A joy for Paul in prison is that “most of pride, but let all look upon others as superior, my brothers in Christ” among the Philippians are looking to others’ interests rather than to our themselves “speaking the word of God fearlessly” own.” We need what is called humility, a giving (Philippians 1:14). This is a good result of Paul’s up of an attitude of self first, of having our way, loss; we, too, must realize that it is not up to the as though we are more important than the other, bishops and priests to spread the faith; it is we of setting self and our interests above others in the who spread it. Paul is happy that even those who human community. do this in rivalry to him, or in intrigue against Series V Lesson 20 Page 3 To teach his Philippians this, Paul includes the 2. Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30). poem or hymn that follows. Here was a person This “co-worker” was sent by the Philippians to who was God Himself who “emptied Himself and help Paul in his stress and needs as a prisoner. took the form of a slave, being born in the like- Paul also calls him a “comrade in arms.” While on ness of men... obediently accepting even death, this mission to Paul, Epaphroditus became deathly death on a cross! Because of this...” As Man, this ill, and Paul feared that he would die before re- opposite attitude to Adam’s, to Eve’s, attitude, the turning to Philippi. Paul also sees him as a co- first creatures made to the image and likeness of worker as he mentions that this journey was “for God, won for Jesus, and will for us, that God the sake of Christ’s work” (Philippians 2:30). “highly exalted him” (Philippians 2:7-9). III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THEIR LIVES (Phi- C. Christian Love in Practice (Philippi- lippians 3:1 - 4:23) ans 2:12-18). Put an end to grumbling and argu- ing (“Self” asserting itself!), but be a “child of A. Breaking with the Past God without reproach, in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation.” Then how does “Self” 1. Judaizers (Philippians 3:1-3). The appear? “Shining like stars in the sky” (Philippi- harsh term, “Unbelieving dogs” shows how seri- ans 2:15). ous Paul is about Jewish Christians who insisted on keeping Judaism while becoming Christians, Paul adds what can bring this about for us, by being circumcised, etc. The term he uses was “while holding fast to the word of life.” We must used by Jews for Gentiles. learn this strongly and hold on to it for all the days of our life: the word of life is in the Scriptures for 2. Paul’s Judean Past (Philippians us, for it is the word of God and the Divine Word 3:4-6). All of the Jewish religious faith, Paul had of God, Christ who fills us with His Holy Spirit. It embraced: circumcision on the eighth day, of the is in this way that God speaks directly to each one tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew from a long line, a of us, for the Spirit inspires us with the meaning Pharisee who insisted on legal observance of the He gives us. Law, and a persecutor of the Church. D. Church Leadership 3. Loss and Gain (Philippians 3:7-16). They are loss to Paul now “in the light of Christ.” 1. Timothy (Philippians 2:19-23). Be- It is amazing to read how deep was Paul’s gain— sides the joy that Paul finds in the development of all else was “rubbish, that Christ may be my his evidently loved foundation at Philippi, is his wealth.” How deep is our life in Christ? What joy in a trusted young convert who has become, “rubbish” do we cherish in our lives? This is like Paul, a “servant of the Gospel” (Philippians much like a religious vocation.