Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop (Memorial)

Daily Meditation: Philippians 2:1-4

. . . each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others. (Philippians 2:4)

Does St. Paul’s exhortation in today’s first reading mean that we should let other people walk all over us, like a doormat? Of course not! The story of a little girl and a gift she gave her parents might shed some light on what Paul was talking about.

On her twelfth birthday, Olivia had received a coloring book with detailed images from nature accompanied by various Scripture verses. As Christmas approached, she decided to carefully color one for her parents. So she pored over the pages until she found the perfect verse: “Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

On Christmas morning, when her parents opened their gift, Olivia explained why she had chosen that picture. She told them that when she read this verse, she thought of the way they loved her and one another and the people they met. Her parents were amazed to learn how closely she had been watching them—and how much she had picked up on the way they had tried to love!

Olivia said she thought about the times when her mom was up all night taking care of her when she was sick and when her dad gave up his Saturdays to coach her soccer team. She remembered when Mom made Dad’s favorite dinner at the end of a hard week at work, and when Dad washed Mom’s car, just so it would look nice. And she recalled when they all made a meal and promised to pray for their next-door neighbor who was recovering from surgery.

It’s those small choices that build the humility and deference that St. Paul is talking about. Regarding others as more important, or looking out for their interests, is not about putting yourself down or saying yes to every demand. And it’s not limited to just the “heroic” acts we might imagine. It’s asking, How can I love the person in front of me right now? How can I meet their needs? It’s being willing to put aside our own preferences so we can lift up someone else. And that’s something we can ask the Lord to help us do today.

“Jesus, help me choose to think of others first. Make me like you!”

Psalm 131:1-3
Luke 14:12-14