或許我們都已經知道，《斐理伯書》是一封充滿喜樂的信。

的確，喜樂的主題貫穿整封信。

今天，我們讀到保祿關於他自身境況的部分敘述，這在古代書信中是一個常見的主題——或許在所有書信中都是如此。

他列舉了兩個喜樂的理由。

第一個理由是關於已經發生的事情，也就是說，許多人看到他的見證後，鼓起勇氣去傳揚福音。

第二個理由是保祿對未來的期望。

宗徒對未來喜樂的理由令人矚目：

保祿深信，無論他生是死，耶穌都將因他而得榮耀。

此外，還有兩個理由。

第一：保祿說，如果我死了，我將與耶穌同在，這將是我最大的喜樂。

第二：如果我能活下來，到你們那裡去，我和你們都會感到喜樂。也許這就是等待著我的，我為此感到欣慰。

如果我們尋找可以效法的榜樣，就能有效地學習如何在自己身上培養這種態度。

需要注意的是：保祿並沒有說「耶穌將在我身上得榮耀(glorify)」，而是說「耶穌將在我身上被尊崇(magnify)」。他使用的字詞與瑪利亞在她謝主曲(Magnificat)中所用的字詞相同。

Perhaps all of us already know that the Letter to the Philippians is the letter of joy.

Indeed, the motive of joy surfaces everywhere in the letter.

Today we read part of Paul’s report about his situation, a topic that was customary in ancient letters – and perhaps in all letters.

He lists two reasons for his joy.

The first reason concerns what is already happening, that is, the fact that many, after seeing his witness, have taken courage to spread the gospel.

The second reason is what Paul expects to happen.

The reason of Paul’s joy about his future is remarkable:

Paul is convinced that, either he lives or he dies, Jesus will be glorified through him.

Then, there are two additional reasons for this.

The first: if I die – Paul says – I will be with Jesus, and this will be my greatest joy.

The second: if I remain and can come to you, there will be joy both for me and for you. Maybe this is what awaits me, and I am happy about that.

If we look for examples to imitate, we can usefully learn how to nurture such attitudes in ourselves.

A detail: Paul does not say: “Jesus will be glorified in me”, but: “Jesus will be magnified in me”. He uses the same word as Mary in her song of praise.