To Be Truly Useful
In this Sunday’s second reading, we hear from St. Paul’s Letter to Philemon (FIE-lee-men); it is one of the shortest texts in all of the Scriptures and undisputed by scholars as truly written by Paul himself. Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of a man named Onesimus who is a slave to Philemon. Philemon has some connection with Paul, what exactly no one can be sure of, but Philemon is a fellow Christian. Onesimus has fled from Philemon and, depending on how you read the letter, may be guilty of a crime against Philemon like theft. How and why Onesimus finds his way to Paul is unknown especially since Paul is in prison in Rome when he wrote this letter. While in Paul’s presence, Onesimus is converted to Christianity and Paul sends him back to Philemon, not just his master now but also his fellow Christian, and Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ.
We may scratch our heads at the fact that Onesimus is a slave who is owned by a Christian, and Paul does not outright demand that Philemon release Onesimus from slavery, but it is clear that Paul is exhorting Philemon to do just that by asking him to take Onesimus back as brother in Christ. As a slave, Philemon would only have Onesimus in time as something of this world, but if he receives him as a Christian then he will have him forever according to Paul.
Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel calls on us to be willing to renounce everything in this life in the name of discipleship. Interestingly, the name Onesimus means “useful” in Greek. Philemon saw Onesimus as an object to be owned and used in worldly matters. As a Christian, Paul hoped that Philemon might see Onesimus as his brother in Christ and that the two of them might be a help to each other on the way to the Kingdom. How do we see people, things, opportunities in this life? As means to an end or do we look for the people, things, and opportunities that will be useful to us for salvation, helping us to make that yes to Christ each day. Are each of us individually useful to those around us as a bridge to Christ and a help to heaven?
Labor Day
This Labor Day, let us pray for any and all who labor in its many forms, asking the Holy Spirit to help all to value human labor that must always respect the inherent dignity of each person. Let us also pray that those who are unemployed or underemployed may find suitable work with a just wage. Mass on Labor Day, Monday, will be offered at 8:30AM.
Blessings to you and yours for a safe holiday weekend and the week ahead!
Father Chris House