By Jo-Ann Brant, professor of Bible, religion and philosophy
Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1 (NRSV)
Paul’s soaring rhetoric speaks truth to lies. We are bombarded each day with messages that tell us to satisfy our desires for food that appeals to our senses but does not nourish our body. Advertisements for luxury automobiles and opulent vacations tell us that this is the pinnacle of human existence but hide the shame of wasteful indulgence and cheaply purchased labor. We mistake pleasure for joy.
The messages of our consumer culture tell us to be ashamed of our bodies. We need to clothe our bodies with the latest fashion, to form our bodies into some ideal of perfection through hours at the gym, to purchase costly creams to hide signs of aging, and when these fail, pay money to have someone cut and stitch our skin to maintain a mistaken glory. Paul has discovered that when we look upon the body as the agent of service to God and God’s creation, we will look upon our own bodies as transformed and glorious.
Paul begins with a metaphor that appeals to me as a “would be artist.” When I try to draw something, the quality of the end product is determined by whether I keep my eye on the model rather than turning to some idea in my head of what the object should look. So if I keep my eye upon those people around me who have found the joy of Christ and wear His crown, rather than looking to some sort of picture of what I wish that I would look like or day dreams of manufactured experiences that will supposedly make me happy, I too will find that joy and wear that crown.
Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1 (NRSV)
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.