4 November 2014
Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop
“Have among yourselves the same attitude, that is also yours in Christ Jesus, …” (Phil 2:5) Having begged the Philippians to show humility through their unity and love, he now shows them what is to be the basis of this humility: Jesus. If we are truly going to bear the name of Christian, we must resemble the Christ whom we worship. But how are we to resemble Christ if we do not have His example before our eyes? That is why St. Paul then tells the Philippians at length about Jesus, with whom they are to be of one mind. That is why the Church sets before us in every one of our churches the Cross of Christ, who humbled himself becoming obedient even to the point of death.
As we contemplate this example of Christ humble, praying for the grace to be humble Christians, let us ask ourselves how we can praise God amongst those assembled to dine in His Kingdom, “the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.” (Lk 14:21) Then, humility will come easier, for it will be shared more concretely. Then we can say with our last breath as did St. Charles Borromeo, who died after almost 20 years of serving the people of Milan in the midst of plagues and street riots, Ecce venio, “behold, I come.” Behold, I come Lord, after serving You in this life, to rejoice with you forever.