St. Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi is full of affection. He obviously loved that community. Ironically the most popular part of that letter, the “hymn to Christ,” was probably not written by the Apostle. It seems to have been part of the prayer of the community that Paul adapted. He wanted to stress one point: “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.” And the way we do that is by imitating Jesus and ceasing to “grasp.” Adam grasped after the apple and disaster followed. Jesus did not grasp after divinity and salvation followed. The hymn goes on that Jesus “humbled himself.” There is a saying: humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.
