Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 16, 2025

2nd Sunday of Lent

Scripture Text: Philippians 3:17—4:1

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The second reading for today from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians exhorts us to “stand firm in the LORD.” Paul calls upon us to shake the tendency to be “occupied with earthly things” and instead to consider our Savior’s promise of “citizenship in heaven” with Him.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What occupies my mind and heart? How much time and effort do I give to my LORD’s call to me to follow Him?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, You came among us as our brother and our Savior. In loving obedience to the Father, You selflessly sacrificed yourself upon the cross of Calvary. You call upon us all to deny ourselves, to pick up our crosses and to follow You. Send your Spirit to tenderize our minds and hearts so that we might set down our occupation with worldly things and pick up our loving surrender to You and your will for us to have life with You, life in abundance. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.