The Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion
Philippians 3:8-19; Luke 7:31-35
Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Philippians 3:8-19
Paul expresses his desire so earnestly on the page. He wants to be known solely as a Christian. Not only that to gain Christ to be found “in him.” This preposition “in” emphasizes Paul’s vision, that union with Christ is possible. He tells us the itinerary. We can be “in” Christ and in His resurrection only through sharing his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. He warns us not to be enemies of the cross. This means not to quiver before the difficulties placed before us. These difficulties are precisely the tools God uses to bind ourselves to him. For this reason, Paul urges us to strive forward, like a runner with muscles taught lunging out toward the finish line. When we recognize the goal—sharers in divine life—makes it more tolerable passing up these little goals we might fix ourselves on: honour, power, pleasure, and prestige.
One of the most exciting things about this passage is Paul’s willingness to put his desires so vividly on the page. He invites us to imitate that same desire with urgency: “Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us.” One of the gifts of Paul is his willingness to make himself an icon of living with Christ, through adversity, through disagreements, through the problems of his own personality, the image of the apostle shines through.