TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR A
Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23;
Philippians 4:12-14,19-20; Matthew 22:1-14
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST
One of the most common verses from the Pauline letters is found in the second reading today: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
Many times, when this is quoted, it is interpreted to sound as if God gives or can give the believer enormous power to do anything. But is this what Paul means? To arrive at the above conclusion is to read the text out of context completely.
The context can be gleaned from verses that precede our verse (Phil 4:13) in our reading today. Paul says “I know how to live in humble circumstances: I know how also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need”. So, when we put the verse in this context, we would come to understand that Paul is rather talking about contentment. That he is able to survive in every situation he finds himself, whether in plenty or want. What then can we say about contentment for the Christian.
Contentment is true freedom for the Christian. Contentment by a simple definition refers to a state of happiness and satisfaction. If Paul says he can live in abundance and in need, it means that he is free from the lure of material goods of the world. It helps us so that we are not enslaved by our desires for worldly material.
This freedom we find in contentment also gives us the confidence to proclaim the gospel freely. It is unfortunate that the kind of gospel that floods our airwaves is one of prosperity and good worldly life and not focusing much on repentance, holiness and good moral life. It seems that many preachers are under some burden to preach in that way so that their followership will grow. Some preachers are unable to speak the truth of the gospel because they are afraid to miss out on what they may get materially. Contentment helps us free ourselves from these wants and preach the gospel as it should be preached. Contentment frees us from any kind of influence.
Contentment is the trust in God’s providence. To be content is to trust that no matter the situation we find ourselves in, God will provide for us. For this reason, in the moments of plenty we recognise that it is a result of God’s help and blessings. And we give him thanks. On the other hand, in moments of need we are sure that God is with us to see us through.
Contentment is a mark of a mature Christian. This means that it comes with experience of the Christians’ dependence of God. The Christian over and over again learns from the experience that he or she goes through in life. In this letter, Paul mentions that he “learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry”. We learn to be and grow in contentment. We learn by the things life throws at us. Guided by the help of God we grow through it all.
In spite of his contentment, Paul was grateful for the support of the Philippians, who made a lot of efforts to lessen his problems. The fact that we are content, that we trust in God’s providence does not mean we should disdain the help from others. We must still have an appreciation for the help we get from others but not to be influenced by them.
Now, when we hear Paul say, that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, we understand that by the grace of God he can withstand every situation. There is nothing we cannot master, not because God has given us an unimaginable power but because from our experience, we can bear all of life’s situation for the sake of the kingdom of God.
To some extend this is a message of the spirit of martyrdom and witnessing to the gospel. It is a declaration that whatever happens I am ready for the propagation of the gospel. There is no situation that can force us to abandon the work of God. And there is no lure that can blind our ears and conscience to the truth.
With these words of Paul may we recommit ourselves to the Christian call to virtue and proclamation of the gospel.
May the Lord grant you great love for his work, may you not be deceived by the worldly goods. When ever we are tempted to compromise, let us remember to say with Paul “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr Delight Arnold Carbonu
