Fr Christopher Foeckler, MJ • St Josaphat Formation Center • Phoenix, AZ

“Christian spirituality is distinguished by the disciple’s commitment to become conformed ever more fully to his Master (cf. Rom 8:29; Phil 3:10-12),” says St. Pope John Paul II. He goes on to say that, “The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Baptism grafts the believer like a branch onto the vine which is Christ (cf. Jn 15:5) and makes him a member of Christ’s mystical Body (cf. 1Cor 12:12; Rom 12:5). This initial unity, however, calls for a growing assimilation which will increasingly shape the conduct of the disciple in accordance with the ‘mind’ of Christ: ‘Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus’ (Phil 2:5). In the words of the Apostle, we are called ‘to put on the Lord Jesus Christ’ (cf. Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27).”

What is the “mind of Christ” or His attitude that we may be better conformed to it? We can take our lead from St.Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:5 “Have this mind among yourselves, which was 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 death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that 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.”

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross this month is another reminder of this fundamental yet challenging ideal of Christianity. The attitude of Our Lord Jesus Christ is that of a humble servant obedient even unto death and death on a cross. His being “lifted up” is to allow us to contemplate again His Mind and then to imitate it according to our capacity and circumstances. Some Christians are literally being “lifted up” like Christ, as in Northern Iraq; while others not so challenged have to be like Mary at the foot of the Cross sympathizing and interceding for those suffering thus, and praying as well as for the conversion of those who are causing the suffering. This is the Mind of Christ.

This post is also available in: Hindi Italian Polish Slovak Spanish Ukrainian