Sunday of the Passion Reading — Philippians 2:5-11

What’s so great about being humble? In a world obsessed with success and strength, humility seems like weakness.

But St. Paul points to something profound in Philippians 2: “Being found in human form, Christ humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Think about this. The Son of God — who had everything — emptied Himself completely.

He didn’t cling to divine power. Instead, He chose to become human, to serve, to be obedient even to death on a cross.

This wasn’t just any death.

Crucifixion was the most humiliating, painful execution in Roman times. It screamed failure and shame to everyone watching.

Yet in this moment that looked like absolute defeat, something incredible happened.

Where the world saw humiliation, God was working victory.

On that cross, you were being rescued from sin, death, and the devil.

Your struggles with feeling weak or humiliated? They actually connect you to Christ.

When you feel like you’re failing, remember that Jesus transformed the ultimate “failure” into the greatest victory.

This doesn’t make humiliation easier to bear. But God’s Spirit strengthens you to see even your lowest moments as opportunities for God’s power to work.

For anyone else, death on a cross would mark complete failure. But for Jesus, it was just the beginning of His reign.

Why? Because death couldn’t hold Him. He rose. He conquered death, sin, and evil—and He shares that victory with you.

As you journey through Holy Week, remember this paradox: your faith grows strongest in weakness, not because of your own strength, but because of God’s overwhelming grace that finds you exactly where you are.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

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