Philemon: A One Chapter Course in Theology
by Fr. David M. Knight
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Thirty-Second Week of the Year
Phlm 7-20/Lk 17:20-25 (Lectionary 494)
Philemon 7-20 (there is only one chapter): Paul packs into this short, delightful letter a whole course in theology! He teaches Philemon:
1. Baptism is rebirth.
2. Human ministers are instruments of new birth and new life. Onesimus is “my child whom I have begotten.”
3. We are in debt to those who have brought us to life in Christ. Paul says Philemon owes him.
4. The reborn are “useful” to us on a level beyond all human service. Philemon’s slave is now, like Paul, a “partner” (koinonos) a “sharer” in the koinonia that is more than “fellowship.” It is mystical “communion (same word) in the Holy Spirit.” We are all members of the same body, gifted by the Holy Spirit to be of service to one another; all mutually “promoting the body’s growth in building itself up in love.”
5. All the reborn are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
6. Knowing ourselves and others as reborn opens up new dimensions of knowledge, appreciation and relationship. Now Philemon can know Onesimus “as a brother, as a man, and in the Lord.”
7. Though we can be separated in life, the reborn “possess each other forever.”
8. By calling others to act according to the new life they have by Baptism, we make them more “useful” to us “in the Lord.” That is, we enhance their value in our eyes, their own eyes and God’s.
9. By living out the love of our baptismal life we can give joy and encouragement to others. Jesus himself is doing it in and through us. Paul says, “Refresh this heart of mine in Christ.”
10. In the Church, any use of authority or power should be a last resort. Paul says he could have “commanded” Philemon to “do what ought to be done.” But he prefers to “appeal in the name of love.” Christian life, like the Trinity’s, is personal relationship.
Luke 17:20-25: Not only the Pharisees, but Christ’s disciples do not understand what the “reign of God” really is. They think of it as a ruler visibly taking his place on a throne. Jesus says it is “already in your midst.” God reigns in every heart surrendered to him.
Jesus will not return like a man descending from the sky. He will “emerge” as his full glory becomes visible in all the members of his body brought to perfection to “form the perfect Man who is Christ come to full stature.” Then we will see him as All in all. If we look we can see him now.
Initiative: Review the ten things in Paul’s letter. Have you experienced all?
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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