Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I learnt very early upon my arrival in America, that the word, “attitude” has more than one meaning. In India, attitude means “a person's mental outlook or disposition.” But in informal speech in America, attitude means being sassy, disrespectful, defiant, and uncooperative. Saying someone “has an attitude” or “is giving attitude” has a negative connotation. That is not what Paul means, when in today’s second reading he says, “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). Rather, the attitude of Christ Jesus is an antidote for people with “attitude”.
Parable of the Two Sons
Historically the Parable of the Two Sons is a critique of the religious leaders of the time. In the parable, Jesus likens the tax collectors and prostitutes to the first son. Initially, they were disobedient to the Law but ultimately, they believed in John the Baptist and accepted “the way of righteousness” (Mt 21:32). Similarly, Jesus likens the religious leaders to the second son who claimed obedience but did not do the will of the Father. Their disobedience to the Father’s will is captured in their rejection of Jesus and his ministry to the tax collectors and sinners. We might say that the second son has an “attitude”.
But the moral of the story is not that the readers should choose between one of the two sons. It was meant to highlight the “attitude” of the religious leaders. The bottom line is that neither of the two sons are examples of exemplary conduct. They were both selfish and disobedient at one time or another. The positive thing about the first son, though, is that at least he recognized his wrongdoing and turned his ways. There is hope for him. As Ezekiel says in today’s first reading: “If the wicked turn from the wickedness they did and do what is right and just, they save their lives (Ez 18:27). God always leaves the door open for conversion. Along with the critique of the religious leaders, that is the message of the parable.
Attitude: Christ-Mindedness
The Parable of the Two Sons leads us to the son par excellence - Jesus Christ. Paul says, “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). Jesus is the Son we must imitate. Thus, Paul was exhorting the whole Philippian community to be Christ-minded.
The context for Paul’s command has two dimensions. On the one hand, Philippians were already Christ-minded and Paul recognized that. Thus, when Paul says, “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy… (Phil 2:1), he was not doubting that love, participation, compassion and mercy was prevalent among them. Rather, Paul use of the conditional “If” means that since love, participation, compassion and love already exists among them, they could aim for a higher perfection. On the other hand, several passages in the letter point to the internal divisiveness in the community. The divisiveness was caused by three – selfishness, pride, and the resulting interpersonal conflicts.
In this context, Paul’s teaches that the Christ-mindedness that exists in the community can be ruined by selfishness, pride, and interpersonal conflicts. Paul's hope is that Christ-mindedness is sustained and perfected among them. But how? Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others” (Phil 2:3-4). And then he says, “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 2:5). Clearly, Paul is proposing Christ-mindedness as an antidote to the attitudes of selfishness, vainglory, and pride, and overlooking the interest of others.
The Attitude of Christ
When Paul says, “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,” what does he mean? Paul entire statement is, “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped” (Phil 2:5-6).
Scripture scholars tell us that the meaning of this entire passage rests on the word “grasped.” “Grasped” means that Jesus refused to take advantage of his position as Son of God. This was in contrast to the rulers of his time who used their position to their own advantage. Jesus refused to exploit his position to his own advantage. In reality, he went further. He “emptied himself,” meaning that he renounced his privilege as the Son of God. He chose humility over self-promotion, selflessness over self-interest, obedience to God’s over self-will, the common good of humanity over his own good.
In all the ways possible, the practical implication for us also lies in applying the word “grasped” to our lives. It is possible for me as parish priest to see my position as “something to be grasped.” As religious leaders, parents, spouses, educators, medics, engineers, attorneys, law-enforcement, politicians, and even children can take advantage of their positions. Christ-mindedness calls us to the opposite - humility over self-promotion, selflessness over self-interest, obedience to God’s over self-will, the common good over one’s own good.
Having an “attitude” can destroy a marriage, a family, a home in the same way that it can destroy the Church or the world. Rather, having the “same attitude that is in Christ Jesus” or Christ-mindedness – is the key to having loving families, peaceful homes, harmonious workplaces, welcoming parishes, stable nations, and a happy world.
At this Eucharist we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, let us also pray for his mind so that we may be Christ-minded. Let us pray that as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we might have in us “the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.”
- Fr. Satish Joseph