Father Mike Schmitz

Because that word refuse is actually the word for, we'll say dung, we'll say dung.

I count everything, every gift in the world, every good thing I can do in the world, every possession I could possibly have, every accomplishment I could possibly have, I count that all to be fertilizer, we'll say, compared to knowing Jesus Christ.

not having a righteousness on my own based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible, I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Ah, so, so important.

So good.

Again, we're not saying one or the other, not saying faith or works.

We're saying faith and works are so, so incredibly important.

But also I love this.

St.

Paul's last exhortation.

This is chapter four, verse four.

Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again, I will say rejoice.

Let all men know your forbearance.

The Lord is at hand.

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The last words that St.

Paul has for us today in his letter to the Philippians are also just so good about what we feed ourselves with.

He says,

anything worthy of praise, think about these things.