Our Venerable Mother Pelagia.
Philippians 3:1-8; Luke 7:17-30.
Read Philippians 3:1-8
“The person who loves God cannot help loving every man as himself, even though he is grieved by the passions of those who are not yet purified. But when they amend their lives, his delight is indescribable and knows no bounds.” (Cf. St. Maximos the Confessor shared via Orthodox Bible App)
“Draw nigh to the righteous, and through them you will draw nigh to God. Communicate with those who possess humility, and you will learn morals from them. A man who follows one who loves God becomes rich in the mysteries of God; but he who follows an unrighteous and proud man gets far away from God, and will be hated by his friends.” (Cf. St. Isaac the Syrian shared via Orthodox Bible App)
St. Paul does not hesitate to correct rituals and religious practices that when compared to his faith and love for Jesus Christ are useless and fruitless. His words are very ‘cutting’ when he calls the Jewish religious practice of circumcision a ‘mutilation’ and ‘rubbish’ and calls those who do such things as ‘dogs’ and ‘evil workers.’
The above quotes from St. Maximos the Confessors and St. Isaac the Syrian touch on what is really going on inside of St. Paul and what motivates him to take unmovable stances against such practices and those who continue to do them.
Recall the Proverbs of Solomon:
‘Do not reprove evil men, so they may not hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser; instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.’ (Proverbs of Solomon 9:7-9)
Saint Paul writes his letter to people he loves and who love him so it might be considered that he speaks more freely knowing to whom his letter is addressed; this being said, St Paul definitely empties himself in addressing errors and correcting paths that he knows won’t lead people in their love for Jesus. St Paul’s love for Jesus, his deep unshakable faith, his care and concern for the the people he has been forming in the Faith, advising them in wisdom, warning them of the dangers that will attack them, all shine through in today’s reading to the Philippians.
One might ask, why does he do this? It’s because he knows The Lord. In knowing Jesus, The Lord, he knows what Jesus desires and asks of him and he is simply doing it. Knowing this of St. Paul, does it awaken an awe within you? Does this enable you to see your life’s challenges in the light of this wisdom? Can you see how that ‘Peace that surpasses all understanding’ shines brightly and when it is ‘tasted,’ it’s goodness draws one to an ever increasing desire for that relationship with Jesus; so much so, that one will persevere through all obstacles. That is St. Paul. Glory to God!