1.- It is the first community founded by Paul in Europe. About the year 50, after Barnabas separation, reprehended like Peter in Antioch (Ga 2,13), Paul chooses Silas like companion. They cross Syria and Cilicia consolidating communities (Acts 15,36-41). They arrive to Derbe and, later on, to Lystra, where they meet Timothy. His mother is a Jew. His brothers speak very well about him and Paul decides to take Timothy with him (Acts 16,3). They spread everywhere the decisions of the council of Jerusalem. Crossing Phrygia, Galatia and Misia, they reach Troas. There a night Paul has this vision: A Macedonian stood before him and begged him: Come over to Macedonia and help us! (Acts 16,9)
2.- Taking this vision like a signal, they put out to sea towards Philippi, one of the main cities in the roman province of Macedonia: We spent some days in that city. On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the bank of the river where we thought the Jews would gather to pray. We sat down and began speaking to the women who were gathering there. One of them was a God-fearing woman named Lydia from Thyatira City, a dealer in purple cloths. As she listened, the Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. After she had been baptized together with her household, she invited us to her house: If you think I am faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my house. And she persuaded us to accept. (Acts 16,12-15).
3.- In this manner, the community of Philippi is born in a group of prayer formed by women. They gather in a home. Due to the exorcism of a girl, who gained much profit for her owners by her fortune-telling, these accuse Paul and Silas of disturbing the city. They are flogged and put in prison. Next morning they are set free: Paul and Silas went to Lydia’s hose where they met and encouraged the brothers (and sisters), and then they parted (Acts 16,40). Later on, Paul will recall the suffering and injuries taken in Philippi. (1 Thes 2,2).
4.- Paul writes the Letter to the Philippians from the jail, perhaps from Ephesus, about the year 54. What has happened to him has become the Gospel´s testimony: I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has served to advance the Gospel. Actually the whole praetorian guardand even those outside the palace, know that I am in chains for Christ. And what is more, my condition like prisoner has encouraged most of our brothers who are now emboldened to proclaim the Word of God more openly and without fear. (Phil 1,12-14).
5.- After the initial greetings to all the community and its responsible people, bishops and deacons, Paul thanks God, for their collaboration from the beginning in the Gospel diffusion: I give thanks to my God each time I remember you, and when I pray for you, I pray with joy. I cannot forget all that you shared with me in the service of the Gospel, from the first day until now. Since God began such a good work in you, I am certain that he will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1,3-6).
6.- Some adversaries, Paul knows it well, predicate for Christ, but they act guided by envy and rivalry, and not with good intention: Some, it is true, are moved by envy and they want to challenge me, but others are moved by love and realize that I am here to defend the Gospel. The others announce Christ to challenge me. They do not act with a pure intention, but they think they are making my prison more unbearable (Phil 1,15-17). In some manner or another, the harassment to the apostle seems to be maintained to the end: “Because of envy and rivalry Paul showed the crown of patience”, wrote Clement the Roman about the end of the first century. In any case, Paul says, Christ will be exalted through my person, whether I live or die… But if I am to go on living, I shall be able to enjoy fruitful labour. Which shall I choose? (1,20-22).
7.- It is necessary, of course, to centre in what is fundamental and to maintain firm in the combat, without allowing any intimidation by the adversaries: Try, then, to adjust your lives according to the Gospel of Christ. May I see it when I come to you, and if I cannot come, may I at least hear that you stand firm in the same spirit, striving to uphold the faith of the Gospel with one heart. Do not be afraid of your opponents; your unity foretells their defeat and your victory. (Phil 1,27-28).
8.- It is fundamental the communion inside the community. The apostle places special emphasis in it: If I may advise you in the name of Christ and if you can hear it like the voice of love; if we share the same spirit and are capable of mercy and compassion, then I beg you to make me very happy: have one love, one spirit, one feeling, do nothing through rivalry or vain conceit. On the contrary let each of you gently consider the others like more important than yourselves. Do not seek your own interest, but rather that of others. Let what was seen in Christ Jesus be seen in you (Phil 2,1-5), do everything without grumbling (2,14).
9.- Before the action of the adversaries, bad workers, false circumcises, Paul vindicates his own mission, Because of Christ, many things rested behind: We are the true circumcised people since we serve God according to the spirit, and our confidence is in Christ Jesus rather than in our merits. I myself do not lack those human qualities in which people have confidence. If some of them seem to be accredited with such qualities, how much more am I!. I was circumcised when eight days old; I was born of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; I am a Hebrew, born of Hebrews. With regard to the Law, I am a Pharisee, and such was my zeal for the Law that I persecuted the Church. As for being righteous according to the Law, I was blameless. But once I found Christ, all those things that I might have considered like profit, I reckoned like loss. (Phil 3,2-7), forgetting what is behind me, I race forward and run towards the goal (3,13-14).
10.- There are many who live like enemies of the cross of Christ. That model is not valid: Unite in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and look at those who walk in our way of life. Since many live like enemies of the cross of Christ.I have said it to you many times, and now I repeat with tears in my eyes: they are heading for ruin; their belly is their God, and they feel proud of what should be their shame. They only think of earthly things. But we are citizens of the heaven (Phil 3,17-20).
11.- Paul delivers some particular counsels: I beg Evodia and Syntyche to agree with other in the Lord. And you, Sycygus, my true companion, I beg you to help them. Do not forget that they have laboured with me in the service of the Gospel, together with Clement and my other fellow-workers (Phil 4,2-3). And some general counsels: Fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble. Put into practice what you have learned from me, what I passed on to you, what you heard from me or saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you (4,8-9).
12.- The Philippians have a special relationship with the apostle. He names them like my brothers whom I love and long for, you my glory and crown (Phil 4,1). He thanks them his help: I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty… I can do all things in him who strengthens me. However you did right in sharing my trials. You Philippians,remember that in the beginning, when we first preached the Gospel, after I left Macedonia you alone opened for me a debit and credit account, and when I was in Thessalonica, twice you sent me what I needed. (4,12-16). Paul hopes to send Timothy to them, as soon as he sees his situation clear. And he is confident that he himself will be able to go soon (2,23-24). In the meanwhile, he considers necessary to send Epaphroditus back to them, brother, collaborator and fellow, sent to serve him and to deliver him what they have sent him, fragrant offerings pleasing to God (4,18).
* Dialogue: Is the community of Philippi experience present?
- It precedes a signal
- It is born in a group of prayer; it meets in a home
- It collaborates in the Gospel´s diffusion from the beginning
- Some act through envy and rivalry
- Many live like enemies of the cross of Christ
- It is fundamental the unity in the community
- It has a special relationship with the apostle