Philippians 3:8
Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ.
Yesterday’s verses talked about the futility of this passing world and the folly of trying to be Top Dog in it. Today’s verse points the way to liberation. St. Paul didn’t cast longing glances back at all he left behind to follow Christ. He looked back with relief on all the trumpery, twaddle, and fruitless toil he shucked off in his baptism. He wasn’t kidding about being a “new creation” because he felt like a new man and missed the ruthless, sleepless, unsmiling concentration on self that characterized his old life as much as a horse misses the saddle or the risen Lazarus missed his graveclothes. Today, thank God that you are, through your baptism, free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty you are free at last!
By Mark Shea
Mark P. Shea is a Catholic author, blogger, and speaker.
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