Day 349 · Chronological

Scripture

Philemon 1

Philemon, a noble citizen of Colossa, had a servant named Onesimus, who robbed him and fled to Rome, where he met St. Paul, who was then a prisoner there the first time. The apostle took compassion on him and received him with tenderness and converted him to the faith; for he was a Gentile before. St. Paul sends him back to his master with this Epistle in his favour: and though he beseeches Philemon to pardon him, yet the Apostle writes with becoming dignity and authority. It contains divers profitable instructions and points out the charity and humanity that masters should have for their servants.

Philemon 1

He commends the faith and charity of Philemon; and sends back to him his fugitive servant, whom he had converted in prison.

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer,

And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house.

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.

Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints:

That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work that is in you in Christ Jesus.

For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:

For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,

Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee but now is profitable both to me and thee:

Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.

But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.

And if he hath wronged thee in any thing or is in thy debt, put that to my account.

I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee that thou owest me thy own self also.

Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord! Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus:

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow labourers.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Catechism

Catechism of the Council of Trent, Part 4, Chapter 5, Sections 18-24

How to Make this Petition Fruitful

Penitential Dispositions

But that this Petition may be really fruitful we should first seriously reflect that we are suppliants before God, soliciting from Him pardon, which is not granted but to the penitent; and that we should, therefore, be animated by that charity and piety which are fitting in penitents, whom it eminently becomes to keep before their eyes, as it were, their own crimes and enormities and to expiate them with tears.

Avoidance Of Dangers Of Sin

To this thought should be joined caution in guarding for the future against every occasion of sin, and against whatever I nay expose us to the danger of offending God our Father. With this solicitude the mind of David was occupied when he said: My sin is always before me; and: Every night I will wash my bed; I will water my couch with my tears.

Imitation Of Fervent Penitents

Let each one also call to mind the ardent love of prayer of those who obtained from God through their entreaties the pardon of their sins. Such was the publican, who, standing afar off through shame and grief, and with eyes fixed on the ground, only smote his breast, crying: O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Such was also the woman, a sinner, who, standing behind Christ the Lord, washed His feet, wiped them with her hair, and kissed them. Lastly, there is the example of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, who going forth wept bitterly.

Frequent Use Of The Sacraments

They should next consider that the weaker men are, and the more liable to diseases of the soul, which are sins, the more numerous and frequent are the remedies they need. Now the remedies of a sick soul are Penance and the Eucharist; these, therefore, the faithful should frequently make use of.

Almsdeeds

Next almsdeeds, as the Sacred Scriptures declare, are a medicine suited to heal the wounds of the soul. Wherefore, let those who desire to make pious use of this prayer act kindly to the poor according to their means. Of the great efficacy of alms in effacing the stains of sin, the Angel of the Lord in Tobias, holy Raphael, is a witness, who says: Alms deliver from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. Daniel is another witness, who thus admonished King Nabuchodonosor: Redeem thou thy sins with alms, and thy iniquities with works of mercy to the poor.

The Spirit Of Forgiveness

The best alms and the most excellent act of mercy is forgetfulness of injuries, and good will towards those who have injured us or ours, in person, in property, or in character. Whoever, therefore, desires to experience in a special manner the mercy of God, should make an offering to God Himself of all his enmities, remit every offence, and pray for his enemies with the greatest good will, seizing every opportunity of doing them good. But as this subject was explained when we treated of murder, we refer the pastor to that place.

The pastor ought to conclude his explanation of this Petition with this final reflection, that nothing is, or can be conceived, more unjust than that he who is so rigorous towards men as to extend indulgence to no one, should himself demand that God be mild and kind towards him.