Typically when this passage from
Philippians is read we stop at verse 11. For a congregation grieving the departure
of a pastor I think it may appropriate to read through probably verse 13.
However most pertinently, for members of the body of Christ needing to stand in
solidarity with brothers and sisters in Christ who, for the second Sunday in a
row met this morning also without a pastor, without many of their pastors,
because of them I think we need to read through verse 18.
This is what struck me very keenly
last Sunday as the names of the 9 killed were read aloud. We were able to say
goodbye to our pastor with thanksgiving and a celebration that we were able to
share with him. Mother Emanuel AME
Church gathered last Sunday and this morning following incidents of murder and
hate that stole their pastors and loved ones from them. We should, and must
grieve. Change IS hard and much love has been shared in this place. While we hold our own grief, let us not do so
in isolation from those suffering immensely in our world. We are still needed
to be the church in this place and Jesus Christ continues to call us into
reconciliation with God and one another.
In these verses we hear the apostle
Paul pleading with the congregation at Philippi to imitate Christ. Paul is
asking for Christ’s sake, that the gospel may be shared and God’s love may be
known. Paul is also asking for their
sake, that they will care for, look after, and love one another. Finally He is
asking this for his own sake as he, who has been a pastor to them, is apart
from them and knows he may never see them again.
And so we, the portion of the people of
God present here today, who call ourselves Maplewood Presbyterian Church hear
now -from Philippians Chapter 2 verses 1-18- the word of God for ALL the People of God:
If then
there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in
the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete:
be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one
mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of
you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let
the same mind be in you that was* in Christ Jesus,
