DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Monday, December 31, 2018

Paul writes … “Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment.  What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.”              – Philippians 1:15-18

The Good News, the story of Christ and the legacy of His words, this intention and invitation of God, has power in itself in spite of and overcoming the ill-intention of the proclaimer.  The clearer message, of course, comes through the voices of those with purer motive … but even the those who do so with selfish, self-centered envy and rivalry cannot silent the message of Christ.

Paul writes with remarkable and gracious tolerance.  Though he fully understands how an ill-motived heart can tarnish the message, still he has confidence in the Higher Power of Christ to shine through the tarnish.  And I join him in believing in focusing on the person of Christ, His words and His mission, His dreams and His vision, His example and His ongoing Presence.  Christ cannot be refuted by the sins of those who speak of Him.  They can be wrong in their interpretation, but Christ Himself can never be wrong; they can be wrong in their implementation, but the ways of Christ can never be wrong.

Christ above all!  This I do believe … even though such messengers as Paul and I are but mortal servants.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz