“Have within yourselves the same disposition of mind as was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)
The high expectations that St. Paul has for us are shown in the potential for spiritual development that he insists we must reach. What is he asking from us—that we should have a mind like that of Jesus? Put our thoughts into the thoughts of the Son of God? It takes a saint in the state of grace to propose that the Holy Spirit is at work within us in so great a degree that such a connection would be possible. And yet we recall the passage sung at the circular procession around the font just after each baptism:
The putting on is made visible by the white garb wrapped around the new Christian, but surely there’s more to a life in Christ than a sheet that is soon removed. To be “in Christ” is to have Christ in us—in our minds, our hearts, and within our entire souls and bodies. Here is the mystical awareness of our union with the Father in the Son by the Holy Spirit; but it’s a union we must develop-otherwise it atrophies. To be “in Christ” is to be in communication with the Lord through prayer and contemplation. I like that word: con = with, or in; temple = the temple near your brain, that temple which is you. Suddenly an insight: “Destroy the temple [Jerusalem] and in three days I will build it up.” You immerse your whole mind and emotions into Christ and His agony on the cross, and on the third day you rise with Him and follow the risen Lord through your whole lifetime. Every thought you make, every step you take is done in consultation with the Lord within you. Ideally you have achieved St. Paul’s order. You have the mind of Christ. “Ideally,” because existence in what is considered by society the real world is a challenge to the directive of the holy apostle and the model of the saints.
Just consider all the ways that we are separate just from one another in this individualist society. As stated in the contemporary saying: Life is not a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. We have even now evidence of the ways parents are alienated from their children. In the past months mothers on separate occasions have driven several thousand miles from their homes to reach the state of Nebraska, bringing their teenage children with them. In what was intended to alleviate the many instances of abandonment of unwanted offspring, Nebraska passed a law to accept and to find homes for newborn infants. It seemed a sensible way to offset the plethora of abortions in our nation. However, the law failed to put a cap on the age of such infants. Thus, “mothers” of teenagers found a way to be rid of the fruit of their wombs. Here is the brutal reality of family values in the USA of the 21st century.
The French writer, J. P. Sartre, in an infamous quotation defined for himself the concept of hell: “Hell is other people.” In contradiction to that sad statement, the apostle Paul is appealing to us to comprehend and to imitate the loving humility of the Son of God who being One of the Holy Trinity “thought it no robbery” to leave the Godhead and become one of what He had created, coming to earth and living the life of a human being. We must return to this profound mystery time and time again, placing our own values into perspective. We who are forever asking good things from Christ are being asked a favor from Him. He wants us to convert our minds from always begging blessings for ourselves and work at forgetting our own endless needs. Abandon selfish interests and incarnate ourselves at least in our desires into all others with whom we are sharing a moment of time in a portion of space. Become agents of Christ’s love and mercy. Take ownership of the needs and life situations of all those whom He loves as much as He loves you and me.
St. Paul is suggesting that we are so filled up with ourselves and our wants that there is not any space left for anybody else. Pull the plug on the volume of whatever spiritual liquid that is full to the brim with you, and fill up with the priorities of others who are everywhere around but whom you haven’t noticed. The effect will be a Christ-like revelation. You will begin to recognize another person that you may come to love and enjoy. For certain it will bring to your awareness a new and loftier meaning for living when your new self emerges. The invisible arrows that had always been coming from outside you and were aimed at your mind and heart will be redirected. They will point from you to a life beyond this lifetime and propel you to the Kingdom of Heaven.