Friday 6 November 2020

Today is Friday the 6 November in the 31st week of Ordinary Time.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Ngaza Ngambona: ‘They are blessed who keep his commandments; they will have their eternal place.  Come in, all of you, so that you may be happy and be able to say, I’ve seen him on the cross, the one who loves me.  Teach me, Father, to love you, praise you and pray to you.’

Today’s reading is from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.  

Paul points here to his own example as one that the Christians of Philippi might follow. You might not feel that you want to set yourself up as an example in that way! But who are those whose example has helped you to be a better disciple of Christ?  

Paul contrasts the way he lives with that of others whose “minds are set on earthly things”. Are there ways of life that you see around you that you would want to avoid?  

Listen, as the passage is read again, to what Paul is hoping for and expecting when Christ comes again.  

Take a moment to ask God for whatever you need so that you can “stand firm in the lord”.    

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.