13th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Year B, 2nd Reading (2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15)

7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving… 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty

The Conclusion of the Letter (Philemon 21-25)

21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The

The Center of Paul’s Appeal to Philemon (Philemon 15-16)

15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. In

Thanksgiving and Prayer (Philemon:4-7)

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love

The Uniqueness and the Significance of the Letter to Philemon

Often dismissed as a short and theologically unimportant letter, Thurston and Ryan argue that “the letter to Philemon stands on its own merits, given its radical, even groundbreaking appeal, testifying to the uncompromising nature of the Gospel and continuing to challenge all who belong to Christ to live in a way that is a clear

The Theological Importance of the Letter to Philemon

It is easy to dismiss this letter because of its shortness, but it does contain some important theological themes. The first is Christian love and the Christian community. Onesimus is Philemon’s slave in this world, but he is also his brother in Christ. The two different statuses cannot be reconciled. Paul’s point is that being

Third Sunday of Lent, Year B, Second Reading (1 Corinthians 22-25)

22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. As the biblical

Christian Gratitude (Philippians 4:10-13)

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know

Fifth Sunday, Ordinary Time, Year B, Second Reading (1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23)

16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may

Love and Knowledge (Philippians 1:7-8)

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. These verses return to