Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Sept. 24, 2023

Some of you may recognize the heading for this item as a song title by the punk rock band The Clash, from 1982. The dilemma of the singer has to do with a relationship that is troubled. He does not know if he should remain in the relationship or if he should walk away. “Should I stay or should I go?”
     
This question is echoed by St. Paul in our second reading for today, from his Epistle to the Philippians. Paul, who is facing the very real possibility of martyrdom, is expressing his deep desire to be with the Lord in Heaven.  So, he is not afraid of dying as it will bring him together with the One he has loved and served ever since his great encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. But Paul also feels a need to stay here and to continue to preach the Gospel and to lead people to Christ. This is his passion and his mission. “Should I stay or should I go?”
    
Paul has reached a stage in his relationship with Christ where he does not fear death. In fact, he sees death as the path to his greatest desire—to be with the Christ who he has faithfully served for these many years. For his own sake, that is the best thing. But he also has come to love the Philippians and the other communities that he has founded.
--Fr. Mike Comer