NOTES for Php 1:1-11

The central thought and characteristic tone of today’s reading is gratitude. The Apostle Paul thanks God for those people in whom He “began a good work”: because they exist, because they have turned to Christ, and because they share in the Apostle’s own missionary ministry. He writes to them that he always prays for them with joy. It is truly a great happiness when one can pray for people with joy and gratitude. Too often we take for granted what should be the subject of joyful thanksgiving in prayer. Perhaps this is understandable in the psychology of a conqueror and colonist: as a person conquers and develops new territories for the Kingdom, he becomes accustomed to looking ahead, toward lands that are still foreign and hearts that do not yet belong to the Kingdom, forgetting to rejoice and give thanks for those who already belong to it. But the Church in Philippi was important and dear to the Apostle Paul, although he did not spend very long in that city. His abundant joy and gratitude, which illuminate the whole epistle, are an important example for us. Christ’s love in our brothers and sisters needs us to sustain it and not forget one another.