Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:1-3
“Moreover, you were all in a humble frame of mind, in no way arrogant, practicing obedience rather than demanding it, happier in giving than receiving. Being content with, and intent upon, the provisions which Christ allowed you for your earthly pilgrimage, it was His words that you carefully locked up in your hearts, and His sufferings were ever before your eyes.
Thus all were blessed with a profound and radiant peace of soul, and there was an insatiable longing to do good, as well as a rich outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the whole community. Filled, moreover, with a desire for holiness, you stretched out your hands, with ready goodwill and devout confidence, to Almighty God, imploring Him to show mercy in case you had inadvertently failed in any way.
Day and night you vied with one another in behalf of the entire brotherhood, to further the salvation of the full number of His elect by your compassion and conscientiousness. Guileless and sincere you were, and bore one another no malice. The very thought of insubordination and schism was an abomination to you. Over the failings of your neighbors you mourned; their shortcomings you judged to be your own. You had no regrets when you had been charitable, being ready for any good deed.”
Clement of Rome in 1 Clement 2:1-7, translated by James A. Kleist (New York: Paulist, 1946) 10. This is the same Clement who is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in today’s text. He would go on to lead the church in Rome as bishop. Today’s reading comes from his first letter to the church in Corinth (c. AD 96) before his martyrdom under Emperor Trajan (c. AD 100).
Clement rightly understands that to be charitable, to be a rich sharer of grace, flows from content hearts fixed on the sufferings of Jesus and souls filled with peace and radiance thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. So much of what we do in the Christian life is showing mercy to those who inadvertently fail while being charitable and ready for any good deed.
What struck me was the work of the charitable saint: day by day we labor to further the salvation of many with compassion and conscientiousness. Notice, there’s no thought of schism, which is what Paul was dealing with in Philippi between Euodia and Syntyche, as it destroys the body. Why choose the charitable way? Clement would say, “You’ll have no regrets afterward!”