Food for soul: He emptied himself!

Philippians 2:6-11 

Jesus Christ’s state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Food for thought!

In today's readings, every word is important; every word is carefully chosen to show two things: giving and getting. We are told that though Jesus was in Form God, he voluntarily laid aside His divine prerogatives; he emptied himself, he voluntarily gave away, he did not cling to his divinity, his richness, but gave it away, so that we may get enriched by his riches. He gave so that we may get, he humbled himself so that we may be exalted, he died that we may live.

So, today we begin a week of giving and getting; it is a week of and about emptying oneself for others, like Jesus will do throught the holy week: "Jesus Christ’s state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself." Jesus gave so that we may get. And as Charles H. Burr said, “Getters generally don’t get happiness; givers get it. You simply give to others a bit of yourself——a thoughtful act, a helpful idea, a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot, a sense of understanding, a timely suggestion. You take something out of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart and put it into the other fellow’s mind and heart.” 

In the gospel to be read just before the procession begins, we have another act of giving. Some one, unnamed, gave away his dear donkey for Jesus to use. Had this man refused to give it away, we would not have the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and may be holy week itself. Think of some ways you can use your mind, your energy, and your time. Are you using the hours of the day in the best and most creative ways? Is there something constructive that you would like to do that could add to the good of the world? Remember, “little things can mean a lot.” Plant one seed and it can yield many fruits. This is how nature operates, and we are a part of nature. Look around you from the perspective of finding opportunities to express your talents and abilities and assets. Find some way in which you may give, and then do it with a loving heart.

No matter how unknown a person is, he or she can still play a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan. The Lord needs each one of us as he needed the unnamed owner of the donkey in the gospel reading. A donkey was a very big thing in those days. The donkey was the equivalent of a car, a truck and a tractor all in one. It was a car because people used it to move around and do their shopping; a truck because it was used to carry load; and a tractor because it was used in cultivating the land. Add to this is the fact that the donkey had never been ridden, that means it was brand new and had a very high market value. You can see that giving up the donkey just because the Lord needed it was a very big sacrifice. It was a generous and heroic act of faith.

Did you know that each of us has got a donkey of some kind? You and I each has something in our lives, which, if given could, like the donkey, move Jesus and his story further down the road; we all have something, which if given to others can make a difference in their lives. This is what Jesus did; this is what holy week is all about. Jesus made this week holy for us; you too can make it holy for someone. You remember Mat 25:35-36?

I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me. '