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Year A: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14,19-20 St Paul continues to offer his own life as an example for the Philippians - and us - to follow. Today, he speaks of a form of detachment - an attitude which allows him to accept wealth and poverty with equal ease. He has learnt how to deal with hunger and plenty - and not to yearn for either. This attitude of detachment is one that many spiritual writers recommend. It is not quite the same as self-denial - since one is able to welcome and enjoy the good things in life and not seek to avoid them or deny them to oneself. It is about being able to receive the good things - but to be aware that they may not last. Similarly when bad things come, they are met with the same awareness that they will pass. Detachment gives people a freedom to live fully where they are - not looking ahead to see what is round the next bend - or hankering after things that will not provide long-term satisfaction. It is the attitude that Jesus recommends when He encourages to set out sights on the Kingdom first - and then all the good we desire will follow. St Teresa of Avila also uses detachment as a model for coping with life and its trials: Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you All things are passing God alone suffices... As St Paul says, there is nothing we cannot overcome with the help of God. Life brings with it both good and bad - each in their turn. Neither lasts - but by receiving each - and letting it go, we are , paradoxically preparing ourselves for the good that will last for ever. What does it mean for me?
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