In the readings from Philippians and Matthew, we encounter a compelling call to faith and a vivid reminder of our citizenship in heaven. Paul’s letter encourages us to imitate his way of life and keep our hearts set on our true home in heaven, while the Gospel of Matthew shows us the transformative power of faith through Jesus’ healing miracles. Taken together, these passages invite us to reflect on the nature of discipleship, the need for endurance, and the profound gift of faith.
Imitating Christ and Our Heavenly Citizenship
In Philippians 3:17-21, Paul speaks directly to the Philippians, urging them to follow his example, saying, “Join with others in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Paul highlights the importance of seeking role models in the faith. St. Augustine, in his Confessions, reminds us of the need for exemplars on our journey, as we are easily drawn to the patterns and ways of those we admire. Augustine himself struggled with his past until he found a model in Ambrose, who helped him understand the Christian life.
Paul also speaks of the allure of “earthly things,” warning that our “citizenship is in heaven.” St. John Chrysostom, in his homilies, explains that “it is not enough that we are called Christians, but we must truly live as citizens of heaven.” Chrysostom urges believers to live lives that reflect their status as citizens of heaven, embodying a faith that transcends earthly desires. In these words, we see a call not to complacency but to a daily commitment to holiness and transformation.
Unity and Perseverance in the Body of Christ
In Philippians 4:1-3, Paul addresses the need for unity and perseverance. He mentions two women, Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to be “of the same mind in the Lord.” The Church Fathers were clear in affirming the necessity of unity within the Body of Christ. St. Cyprian, in On the Unity of the Church, emphasizes that “the Church is one, which Christ established as one,” warning that division contradicts the very nature of Christ’s Body. Paul’s plea for unity echoes this understanding and reminds us that, as members of the Church, we are called to reconciliation, healing, and humility.
Faith that Seeks the Impossible: A Lesson from Jairus and the Woman with the Hemorrhage
In Matthew 9:18-26, we witness two powerful healings: the resurrection of Jairus’s daughter and the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage. Both miracles underscore the life-changing power of faith and the compassion of Christ. St. Jerome reflects on the woman’s courage, saying, “She was filled with so great faith that she knew she would be healed even by touching His garment.” Her faith brought her directly to Christ, even as the crowds surrounded Him.
For Jairus, the desperate faith of a father who approaches Christ in humility and trust is profoundly moving. St. Ambrose, in his Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, writes that Jairus’s faith foreshadows the resurrection, as he believed Christ had the power over life and death. Both the woman and Jairus exhibit a faith that does not calculate or waver but instead reaches out to Christ in full trust, abandoning all fear.
Living as Pilgrims of Faith
As we reflect on these passages, we are reminded of the pilgrim nature of our journey as Christians. St. Augustine, in City of God, describes this journey as a pilgrimage where we navigate “the city of man” while our hearts are set on “the city of God.” Like the woman reaching out to touch Christ’s garment or Jairus seeking life for his daughter, we are called to approach Jesus with our deepest hopes, believing that He alone can provide what we need.
These readings prompt us to examine our faith. Do we live as citizens of heaven? Do we seek unity within the Body of Christ? Do we approach Christ with bold and unwavering faith? Let us strive, with the help of God’s grace, to embody this faith, to set our hearts on our heavenly home, and to reach out to Christ with the confidence that He will respond.