What it really means to follow Christ

The verse that precedes the first verse of yesterday's second reading, verse five of the second chapter of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians reads: "Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus". Don Gius, commenting on this verse and what follows, which is that great Christological hymn, a hymn of kenosis, self-emptying, said: "To follow Christ means to have the same feelings as Christ, the same feelings Christ had towards the Father". He continues by pointing out that "it was evident" to Christ "that the Father was God of Heaven and earth". Hence, for Christ and, in turn, for those who would follow Him, "He needed to adhere to the Father . . . even when the Father permitted Him to be killed, which was an unjust thing" (all quotes from Is It Possible . . . pg. 127).