I know you have been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back for ever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother;
Philemon 15,16
Paul is writing to Philemon, pleading for his runaway slave Onesimus. The common ground for all three men is Jesus.
A rich man, a prisoner and a slave are are brought together in this drama. The solution to their problem is Jesus. In fact Jesus is more than just a solution, he is the way to glory for each of these men in the midst of their earthly problem.
What appears an insolvable and polarising problem becomes a source a great joy. The world would call Paul a dreamer, Philemon a fool and Onisimus a brigand. Going against the flow and following Jesus brings these three disparate men together in a tight bond of brotherly love.
Christian fraternity is a great treasure. I need to cherish this today. Time to let my brothers know how much I value them.
How sweet and pleasant it is when the brothers come together in unity... for it is there the Lord will command a blessing.
Saint Francis, please pray for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment