Reading: Philemon 1-21
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. Reflection The letter Paul writes to Philemon is a great example of what it means to be welcoming as Christ has welcomed us. Paul points out that because of Christ’s love, we are changed. We look at others in a different way. No longer slaves, but siblings in Christ Jesus. Paul is willing to sacrifice anything he can that this child of God might be welcomed as a brother and forgiven any debt that he might own to Philemon. Part of being welcoming is to hold mutual love for one another. Because of that mutual love, we are called to welcome all, regardless of our prior relationship with them or what they might owe us. And at times that also means we must sacrifice what belongs to us or we are owed for the good of the whole community. Paul asks Philemon to let go of Onesimus as his slave, not punish him, forgive his debt, and embrace him as a brother in Christ. We do not know what Philemon’s response is, but the message Paul gives us is clear. When we are put in a position to forgive the debts of our siblings in Christ, we are to do so and welcome them truly as children of God. --Karla Leiby Prayer Welcoming God, you open your arms to all your children, granting us love, mercy, and forgiveness. Help us to do the same with one another as we rejoice in our unity in Christ Jesus. Amen
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