From: Philippians 4:6-9
Exhortation to Perseverance and Joy (Continuation)
[6] Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
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Commentary:
5-7. "The Lord is at hand": the Apostle reminds the faithful of the nearness of our Lord; he wants to encourage them to rejoice and to be understanding towards one another. These words must surely have brought to their minds the exclamation "Marana tha" (Come, Lord), which was often in the lips at liturgical celebrations (cf. note on 1 Cor 16:21-24). In the sort of hostile environment that many of them lived in, they needed to put their hope in their Savior, Jesus Christ, who will come from heaven to judge the living and the dead (cf. Phil 3:20; 1 Thess 4:16ff; 2 Thess 1:5). St Paul does not mean to specify when the "Parousia" or second coming of Christ will take place (cf. "Introduction to St Paul's Epistles to the Thessalonians" in "The Navarre Bible: Thessalonians; EB", 414-461; note on Mt 24:36). Like the first Christians, we should make sure it does not catch us unprepared.
Besides, the Lord is always near us, always caring for us in his providence (cf. Ps 119:151). There is no reason for us to feel ill at ease. He is our Father, he is near to all who call on him (cf. Ps 145:18); he listens to our prayers, ever ready to instruct us and to give us whatever we need to overcome difficulties that arise. All that he asks is that we trustingly tell him our situation, speaking to him with the simplicity of a child.
Constant dialogue with God in prayer is, as St Paul suggests, a good way to prevent anything robbing us of peace of soul, for prayer "regulates our affections", St Bernard teaches, "directs our actions, corrects our faults, guides our conduct, beautifies and orders our life; it brings with it knowledge of things divine and things human also. It determines what we ought to do and reflects on what we have done, in such a way that our heart never becomes wanton or in need of discipline" ("Book of Consideration", I, 7).
8-9. The Christians soul is never closed or indifferent to noble human aspirations. "Redeemed by Christ and made a new creature by the Holy Spirit, man can, indeed he must, love the things of God's creation: it is from God that he has received them, and it is as flowing from God's hand that he looks upon them and reveres them. Man thanks his divine benefactor for all these things, he uses them and enjoys them in a spirit of poverty and freedom: thus he is brought to a true possession of the world, as having nothing yet possessing everything: 'All [things] are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's' (1 Cor 3:22-23)" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 37).
The Second Vatican Council has highlighted the permanent relevance of St Paul's teaching in this and in other passages: "In the pursuit of this aim priests will be helped by cultivating those virtues which are rightly held in high esteem in human relations. Such qualities are goodness of heart, sincerity, strength and constance of mind, careful attention to justice, courtesy and others which the apostle Paul recommends [...] (Phil 4:8)" ("Presbyterorum Ordinis", 3).
In the same connection, in a passage where it is encouraging the apostolate of the laity the Council says: "Catholics should strive to cooperate with all men of good will in the promotion of all that is true, just, holy, all that is worthy of love (cf. Phil 4:8)" ("Apostolicam Actuositatem", 14).
Earthly realities and the noble things of this world have a divine value; they are good; they help man to reach God. For, as St. Irenaeus wrote, "through the Word of God, everything comes under the influence of the work of Redemption; the Son of God has been crucified on behalf of all, and has traced the sign of the cross on all things" ("Proof of the Apostolic Preaching"). "We cannot say that here are things--good, noble or indifferent--which are exclusively worldly. This cannot be after the Word of God has lived among the children of men, felt hunger and thirst, worked with his hands, experienced friendship and obedience and suffering and death" (St. J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 112). Therefore, "your daily encounter with Christ takes place where your fellow men, your yearnings, your work and your affections are. It is in the midst of the most material things of the earth that we must sanctify ourselves, serving God and all mankind" (St. J. Escriva, "Conversations", 113).
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
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