As we reflect upon the readings of Feria VI after the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, we find in Philippians 1:6-11 and Matthew 22:15-21 a profound invitation to consider our spiritual progress and the right ordering of our duties to God and the world. Both passages, when viewed together, provide a rich framework for understanding the growth of Christian virtue and the call to live in fidelity to God’s sovereignty. Drawing from the writings of the Church Fathers, we delve into how these themes intersect and guide us toward deeper conformity to Christ.
Philippians 1:6-11 – The Assurance of Spiritual Growth in Christ
In Philippians 1:6, St. Paul expresses his confidence that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Here, the Apostle emphasizes the faithfulness of God in completing the sanctification of believers. St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, notes that St. Paul is not merely flattering the Philippians, but rather acknowledging God’s active grace in their lives. Chrysostom explains that the good work is not only initiated by God but is also sustained and perfected by Him, showing that the entire journey of holiness is marked by divine assistance.
Furthermore, St. Augustine reflects on this passage by stating that the believer must cooperate with God’s grace, but it is ultimately Christ who completes the work within us. He writes, “Our merits are God’s gifts,” emphasizing that whatever spiritual progress we make is fundamentally a manifestation of God’s grace working within us. Thus, this passage serves as a reminder that while we strive for holiness, our confidence lies not in our own efforts, but in the power and promise of Christ to bring about the fruits of righteousness.
St. Paul continues in verses 9-11, expressing his desire for the Philippians’ love to “abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” The growth in love, tempered by knowledge, is essential for spiritual maturity. St. Gregory the Great interprets this as a call for love to be not blind, but enlightened by divine truth. He suggests that genuine Christian charity must be grounded in the knowledge of God and discernment of His will, guiding our actions to be both sincere and fruitful.
Matthew 22:15-21 – Render to Caesar, Render to God
The Gospel reading from Matthew 22:15-21 presents the well-known interaction where the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus by asking whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Our Lord’s response, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” goes beyond the mere question of taxation, inviting deeper reflection on the relationship between our temporal obligations and our duty to God.
St. Hilary of Poitiers comments on this passage, asserting that while civil obligations must indeed be respected, they should never lead us to compromise our ultimate duty to God. The coin, marked with Caesar’s image, belongs to the earthly realm, but man, created in the image and likeness of God, belongs entirely to Him. Thus, rendering to God what is God’s means offering ourselves—our lives, hearts, and souls—as a living sacrifice in His service.
St. Jerome adds a further dimension, emphasizing that Christ’s answer transcends the political situation of His time and speaks to the inner life of every believer. By directing us to render to God what is His, He is calling us to acknowledge that all we possess and all we are come from Him. The implication is that our earthly duties should never overshadow or conflict with our higher calling to worship and serve God. For Jerome, this passage serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual realities over worldly concerns, always keeping the eternal in view.
Integrating the Readings: Growth in Virtue and Proper Allegiance
The readings together teach us about the proper ordering of our lives in pursuit of holiness. St. Paul’s confidence in the Philippians’ spiritual progress is rooted in the understanding that the Christian life is a gradual ascent towards union with God, facilitated by divine grace. This sanctification process requires not only individual effort but also the wise discernment of where our true loyalties lie. Christ’s response in the Gospel points us to the ultimate reality that while we may have duties in this world, our highest allegiance is always to God.
In light of the Fathers’ teachings, we can understand that spiritual growth is not an isolated task; it involves both the purification of our intentions and the fulfillment of our temporal responsibilities in a way that leads us closer to God. Just as the Philippians were encouraged to grow in love and discernment, we too are called to integrate our love for God into every aspect of our lives, even in fulfilling mundane tasks. As St. Augustine would say, our love must be rightly ordered—ordo amoris—so that we place God above all else.
Practical Application for the Faithful
In this post-Pentecostal season, as the liturgical year draws closer to its end, the Church’s liturgy turns our attention to the final judgment and the culmination of all things in Christ. These readings serve as a timely reminder to assess the state of our souls and the sincerity of our commitment to God’s work within us. The spiritual journey is ongoing, and we are called to a vigilant perseverance that trusts in God’s fidelity.
1. Examine the Quality of Your Love: Reflect on whether your love for God is abounding with “knowledge and all discernment” as St. Paul exhorts. Is your devotion grounded in a true understanding of His will, or is it based on mere sentimentality?
2. Balance Temporal and Spiritual Duties: Consider how you fulfill your earthly responsibilities. Are they oriented towards serving God, or have they become ends in themselves? The words of Christ challenge us to view all our actions as opportunities to honor Him.
3. Trust in God’s Work in Your Life: Do not become discouraged by your own weaknesses or the slow pace of spiritual growth. Remember St. Paul’s confidence in God’s ability to bring His work to completion. Approach your spiritual life with hope, trusting that Christ, who began this good work, will indeed bring it to fruition.
May these reflections inspire us to renew our commitment to the path of holiness, confident in God’s unfailing grace and ever mindful to render unto God what truly belongs to Him—our entire selves.