Readings for the Day:
Sermon:
Philemon is a very short letter. But it has a huge impact on us as Christians. And that is because Paul gives us an example of how to be Christlike in the world. And being Christlike is one of the things we are called to be in our lives as Christians.
In this letter, Paul is writing Philemon concerning his slave, Onesimus. Onesimus ran away from Philemon, an offense punishable by death in the days of the Roman Empire.
On the way, Onesimus met Paul, and became a Christian, just like his master Philemon was.
And like we are all called to do as Christians, Onesimus is looking to make amends for his past. He is hoping to return to Philemon. Even though, as Paul points out, he returns now "no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother." A fellow brother in Christ Jesus.
And here is where Paul acts in a Christlike way. As Onesimus gets ready to return, Paul tells Philemon, "If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account." He is taking responsibility for someone, who under the law of the land at that time, could be put to death.
That is precisely what Jesus does for us. He takes on the account of our sins. And was willing to die for us, so that we wouldn't have to die under the weight of our sins. He was willing to die for us, so that we might live.
We are called to follow the example of Paul, whose name this congregation bears, and act just like Christ Jesus. We are called to take on the burdens of our brothers and sisters and bear them, even if it costs our own lives. We are called to live with that level of compassion for others, just as Jesus showed us that same compassion to us.
And for the love we have received from Christ Jesus, from the compassion we can pass on to others, and for the example of living in a Christ-like way that we have from St. Paul, we can truly say Thanks Be to God!