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| St Paul writing from prison, Gustave Doré (1832–1883) |
Reflection given at Morning Worship with the Community of Brendan the Navigator on Tuesday 13th October 2027
Paul writes (Phillipians 1:12-30) to encourage the Christians in the church which he had founded in Philippi, in Greece, on his 2nd missionary journey with Silas, as reported in the Acts of the Apostles.
It is not certain where he is writing from, but wherever it
is, he is a prisoner there. Since he mentions the Imperial Guard, he is quite
likely writing from Rome, though that is disputed.
Paul begins by telling the Philippians that his captivity has
‘actually helped to spread the gospel’.
‘Most of the brothers and sisters’,
he says, ‘having been made confident in the Lord
by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without
fear’.
The church where Paul is a captive is divided. ‘Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others
from goodwill’. But, says Paul, ‘What
does it matter? … Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false
motives or true’. And Paul rejoices in it.
There is an important lesson for us today in Paul’s response.
Our Church of Ireland, with much of the Anglican Communion, is also sadly
divided. Church leaders accuse other church leaders of not being proper
Christians. They seek to separate themselves from those they see as unorthodox,
to divide the church. But this is not Paul’s way. Like Paul, let us seek to
proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ alongside those with whom we disagree,
while resisting the drive to schism. Because Jesus prays for his followers to
the Father, that they all may be one, as he and the Father are one.
Even in his captivity, whatever may become of him, Paul tells
the Philippians that he will continue to rejoice, declaring that ‘Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether
by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain’.
He does not expect martyrdom, but he will accept it if that is in God’s plan
for him.
Like Paul, the Philippians are suffering persecution. He
implores them to stand firm. He tells them, ‘Only,
live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that … I will
know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one
mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your
opponents.’
We Christians here in Ireland today are not suffering active
persecution, much as some like Enoch Burke and his family would like us to
believe. But more and more people in our increasingly secular society are
turning away from our churches. Many are horrified by all too many church abuse
scandals, and many deplore the lack of love some churches show for minorities.
As we do too, of course. Many, even among those we love, express bewilderment
that we continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. There are few
children and young people in many of our churches, and we fear for the future of our small congregations..
It hurts, doesn’t it? It hurts...
But let us listen to Paul, and let us stand firm, as he urges
the Philippians, ‘For (God) has graciously
granted (us) the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering
for him as well’. God is working his purpose out. The church has
been through fallow periods before, and bounced back, chastened but better. Let
us be optimistic for the future of our faith, and continue to proclaim the good
news of Jesus Christ. Let us trust that our God will not desert his people.
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