Sunday Connections

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Catholic Bishops: Leading with Humility

Following Jesus’ Footsteps in His Kenosis

Philippians 2:6-11 is a passage that speaks of Christ’s humility, obedience, and exaltation. It is a powerful reminder of the sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf, and how important it is that we follow his example during Holy Week.

In Bishop Hying’s video, he encourages people to reflect on the Kenotic Hymn found in Philippians 2:6-11, which beautifully captures the Paschal Mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection. He explains how Jesus’ embrace of the Cross and glory through his resurrection show the path towards salvation for us as his disciples. The Bishop emphasizes the great paradox of the Gospel, where humility and serving others lead to discovering our greatness as children of God. He reminds us that our gifts come from the Lord and we are called to pass them on graciously to others.

Here are some specific examples and applications of how we can relate Philippians 2:6-11 to Holy Week:

1. Humility During the Triumphal Entry: When Jesus enters Jerusalem, we see an expression of the great humility of Jesus. The Gospels recount how Jesus entered the city riding on a donkey. This was a symbol of humility, as donkeys were not used by kings or royalty. By riding on the donkey, Jesus shows us that he is a king who serves, and not a ruler who demands to be served. We can apply this aspect of Christ’s humility in our own lives during Holy Week, by seeking to serve others rather than seeking personal glory.
2. Obedience During the Passion: The Passion of Christ is a powerful example of obedience to God. Christ willingly submitted himself to the will of God, even when it meant death on a cross. During Holy Week, when we reflect on the passion of Christ, we can renew our own commitment to obey God’s will for our own lives.
3. Exaltation During the Resurrection: Finally, Philippians 2:9-11 speaks of how God has exalted Christ, giving him the name that is above every name. This exaltation culminates in the resurrection, a powerful demonstration of God’s power over sin and death. As we celebrate the resurrection during Holy Week, we can reflect on the power of Christ’s victory and how that gives us hope for eternal life. We can also look to the exaltation of Christ as a model for our own lives, seeking to live in a way that honors God and brings glory to his name.

In terms of church clergy, there are a couple of things we can be draw from Philippians 2:6-11.

1. Church leaders should aspire to emulate Christ’s humility. In the passage, we learn that Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (v8). This means that church leaders should not seek positions of power or influence, but instead should be willing to serve others sacrificially. They should be willing to put the needs of others above their own, and be willing to make personal sacrifices for the good of their congregations.
2. Church leaders should also understand that their ultimate aim is not to exalt themselves, but to exalt Christ. In the passage, we learn that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (v10-11). Similarly, church leaders should seek to point people towards Christ and not towards themselves. They should seek to glorify Christ in all that they do, and lead their congregations into a deeper knowledge and understanding of who He is.

RELATED VIDEO: Holy Week with Bishop Robert Barron

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON (2:58) – In 2018 Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire team created this video compilation of the events of Holy Week that shows the power of Christ’s resurrection vibrantly alive in his Church.

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