Philippians 1:21-30 (NRSV)
Read Philippians 1:21-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Verse 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. Verse 23I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; Verse 24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Verse 25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, Verse 26so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
Verse 27Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, Verse 28and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. Verse 29For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well- Verse 30since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Devotion
Today, I am preparing the homily for a good friend's funeral. I've known him for 28 years. I worked with him first as his intern, then later as an associate pastor in a congregation. Our families became family to each other, including god-parents to each other's children. We became life-long friends, sharing moments of hilarity and great joy, as well as deep struggles. Living and working day-to-day as partners in Christ was wonderful. I love him and miss him. He was one who stubbornly held up the Christ light, the gospel of God's love for all the world and wouldn't water this Good News down! And in these last days, in the weariness of the struggle with cancer, I also know that he wanted to "go home" to be with Christ. As Saint Paul reminds us in this text, we are all charged with "standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel." My friend's death and homecoming provide for me, and for so many people that he touched, a resolve to continue on even more firmly and stubbornly focused on Christ and his abundant love for this world.
Prayer
O Lord, I thank you today for sending us people who point us to your unconditional love. May we always have such people in our lives, and may we, in turn, become the new ones who point others to you. Amen.