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Ever growing circle of love in Christ

Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer. Of course, not all of us were able to enjoy the summer, due to personal issues, crisis, or unexpected challenges. Yet, no matter where life has led, we returned to this community united.

What matters most is the hope that we find in God’s presence within each of us, and it is for that hope we gather today. Today, I would like to share a reflection inspired by our second reading.

Paul wrote many letters, and we have at least 13 letters attributed to Paul. As we know there are 27 books in the New Testament, so Paul’s thoughts and witnesses play a great role.

But What do you know about Paul himself? Paul never met Jesus before the crucifixion. He was born in the tribe of Benjamin and held a Roman citizenship by birth. He received the finest Jewish religious training and became a Pharisee, the teacher. As he identified himself “Hebrew of the Hebrews” in the letter to the Philippians, he was not just a Pharisee but he was exemplary one.

At the same time, he had all the privilege as a Roman citizen. Living in Tarsus, a thriving center of culture and learning, he spoke Greek fluently, and also with a father presumed to be a tentmaker, a skilled job with high demand in Roman Empire, it is likely he never faced financial hardship.

In a sense, I imagine he must have been one of the wannabes among the Jewish people. As a fervent Pharisee, he was one of those who took the lead on persecuting the early Christians, after Jesus’ ascension. Then Paul’s conversion came on the road to Damascus, where a blinding light overwhelmed him and the voice of Jesus called out: “Why are you persecuting me?” From that moment, Saul—later Paul—took a new path.

Paul became the first theologian of the New Testament. He was able to see who Jesus truly was and understand what Christian life meant through his experience. Building upon both Jewish tradition and philosophical knowledge, Paul helped structure the foundations of Christianity. Each of his letters addresses different Christian communities focusing on themes relevant to their life and challenges. And all together, Paul’s letter delivers a deep understanding of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the meaning of Incarnation, Jesus’ sacrificial death, and resurrection and how salvation is brought to us, how we should live, and what we should anticipate.

Yet, today’s reading gives us something unique. In his letter to Philemon, he sets aside theology and ministerial appeals to the leaders of the church. It is deeply personal letter to Philemon, a wealthy Christian who became a Christian through Paul. Paul asks Philemon to forgive Onesimus, a runaway slave who also became a Christian through Paul. Paul writes this from prison, falsely accused by Jewish authorities, and under house arrest by the Roman Empire.  

Although it might not have been a horrible condition behind bars, the situation must have been stressful and uncertain for his own fate. Also he was so well connected and aware of all Christian communities in many major cities in the Roman Empire, and how the threats and oppression from the Jewish authorities and further the Roman empire was fueling up.

Remarkably, Paul’s letter to Philemon does not focus on his own problem, or even issues facing the wider church. He does not address the injustice of slavery directly either. Instead, he pleads for reconciliation. As Paul said, he could have kept Onesimus next to him as Onesimus followed Paul like a father, and he could have helped Paul while Paul was in house arrest.

But here Paul is appealing to Philemon with all his hearts as he sends Onesimus back. If you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done any damage to you, I will repay it. Let me benefit from you through this.  

Paul’s compassion for Onesimus and his respect for Philemon shine through these words. It is touching and profound. Here, Paul seeks to heal what is broken and bring freedom and fellowship beyond past wrongs or social systems. Although Paul does not speak directly of Christ or Christian life in this letter, he embodies Christ’s love and the heart of Christianity.

In today’s Gospel from Luke, probably we thought Jesus’ message was a bit extreme and harsh. Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.

How do we understand this? The original Greek word for hate in this passage is actually “miseo”, which means love less by comparison. Even if we apply the word hate less literally with original meaning, then whom should we love more? If we move past the saying “Blood is thicker than water”, then what would be thicker than blood? Perhaps, “faith is thicker than blood” or “our bonds in Christs are thicker than blood”.

Whatever it may be, it reminds us that love cannot be tied to our own interests and interests of my family, friends, or community only. Jesus’ teaching expands the idea of “we”, originating in the Triune God, and ever growing outward. In Jesus’ understanding of “we”, there is beginning but no end. There is no boundary of “us versus them”. All are children of God, members of one body in Christ, bound by the Spirit. We are called to welcome each other with the same love that we have for our own family.

Or for some people, to the opposite we are called to serve our parents, children, and spouse with the same love that we show to others. Our task is to build and nurture relationships on love-beyond any clique, narrow interests, or any systematic boundaries.

Just as Paul sought for both Onesimus and Philemon, we are called to receive and uplift those before us, fostering what is best for each person. As we engage with the world with openness, other centeredness, Christ-centered compassion, love that springs from Triune God, Will flow through us, Help God’s kingdom flourish ever more.

And here we are to receive the gift of love, and we will find the gift as we begin to see a person in others around us, a person with stories and joys, sighs and tears, hopes and dreams, pains and fears. And as you and I stand together as “we”, all of these will turn into love. 

May God always make love grow in our hearts,

And lead us to where our love is most needed,

Till there is no one who cries and suffers alone,

Make our love ever seeking and reaching out for each other.

Amen.