We Must Empty Ourselves

Sept. 27, 2026

The second reading for today is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. It is called the Philippian Hymn. Scholars believe that Paul actually borrowed the hymn from an outside source. It contrasts the humility of Christ and the pride of our own attitude.
   
He writes, “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus, Who though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a Cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
   
Each of us is called to embrace the same humility as did Jesus. We are to empty ourselves and serve God and our neighbor. In our willingness to empty ourselves, Christ then fills us with His love, His grace, and His many blessings.
—Fr. Mike Comer