Having the Same Mind as Christ (Guest Speaker: Jennifer Garrison)

Philippians 2:1-13

Rev. Jennifer Garrison (she/her) is a UCC pastor who has ministered in congregations in Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. A recent graduate of Still Harbor Spiritual Direction Practicum, with God's help she will be launching a spiritual direction practice later this year. In addition to her memoir (Swim, Ride, Run, Breathe: How I Lost a Triathlon and Caught My Breath), her writings appear in several other publications, most recently in a books of conversations with the psalmist called Words of Her Mouth: Songs for the Struggle. She lives in Oregon City in a multigenerational household with her partner Rev. Tara Wilkins.

1 If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he existed in the form of God,

    did not regard equality with God

    as something to be grasped,

7 but emptied himself,

    taking the form of a slave,

    assuming human likeness.

   And being found in appearance as a human,

8  he humbled himself

    and became obedient to the point of death—

    even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly

    and gave him the name

    that is above every other name,

10 so that at the name given to Jesus

    every knee should bend,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue should confess

    that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Queries:

We are living in a time of division - politically, religiously and (for many of us) personally. How does the love of Christ call you to unity?

How do you resonate - either positively or negatively - with Paul's command to "work out your salvation in fear and trembling"? 

What  do you hear in the story of Katherina Schutz Zell from the 16th century that can guide you in the 21st century?