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As thinking, rational human beings, as a people and as a nation we are constantly faced with having to choose the morally right course of action in our lives. To think, to judge and to act on our judgments is fundamental to what it means to be human. But what helps us to choose what we consider to be the most loving and life-giving path in life? Who or what forms our minds and our conscience? As I tuned into some of the news programs last week on T.V., I was invariably challenged, as a rational, thinking human being and as a Christian, to decide where I stood on some of the controversial issues presently facing our nation. Should we go to war with Iraq? Now that our governor Gray Davis has signed a bill authorizing stem-cell research form any source, including human embryos, for therapeutic purposes, should I support this policy, when I know that harvesting the cells requires the destruction of human embryos? And in the light of 9/11, the debate over the use of torture in the interrogation of terrorist suspects has been give new impetus. Where do I stand on this?

Where do we as a Christian community stand on these issues? Indeed where do we stand on any issue that is ethically complex and emotive? Can we profess and live out of the same convictions and values? Or are we divided? What principles or moral vision guide us?

In our second reading this morning, St. Paul encourages the divided Philippian community to be of one mind and one heart in its witness to the world. He envisions a Christian community where competition, rivalry and self-interest cease to exist and where everyone looks out for everyone else. And he envisions a Christian community where the desire to dominate has no place. For Paul the secret of Christian life together is twofold: humility of heart and having the same mind as Christ. But how do we adopt the mind of Christ in such a way that we fully reflect his vision of humanity? I propose that we try to do this by briefly reflecting on the person of Jesus under four headings: Jesus our role model; Jesus the responsible citizen; Jesus the searcher and Jesus the humble servant.

So, firstly, what do I mean by Jesus our role model? Well, I think it is fair to say that the development of Christian moral character is inextricably tied to Jesus as our exemplary role model. He is the master and the supreme mentor we must turn to as our preeminent source of Christian vision and virtue. To be a Christian implies having convictions about the person and mission of Jesus. But the Christian life, we must remember, is not simply about imitating this good man, Jesus; it is the imitation of the divine love expressed in Jesus. And it is most especially about following his command: "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." And this brings us to our second consideration of the person of Jesus: Jesus the responsible citizen.

What I mean by this is that Jesus shows us how to live with others, how to love and be loved, and how to be one's own person and still be of service to others. Jesus, the responsible citizen, shows us that the essence of truly human and moral living is to take responsibility for our lives. It is to say what we believe to be true, to do what we believe to be right, and then to live out the consequences. Above all living as Jesus the responsible citizen lived means continually challenging and seeking to reform oppressive and dominating structures of human existence so that everyone may live as sisters and brothers in a community of inclusion, equality and mutuality. And this leads us into our third reflection on Jesus: Jesus the searcher.

What I mean by 'Jesus the Searcher' is that I believe Jesus had to discover who he was and what God was asking of him just as we do, step by step. Jesus would not have been truly human and not much of a model for moral living if he did not have to search and find. Jesus was one who tested life and who was tested by life. He searched out life's meaning, listened carefully to what makes life really valuable, and then decided over and over again in favor of God's way of self-emptying love. Whatever it takes - and at times it takes a lot, a lot of prayer, discernment, risk-taking, and sweat - we too are called to be the searcher after truth and love that Jesus was. And finally: Jesus the humble servant.

Because Jesus remained in deep loving communion with God, he did not have to strive for greatness, demand the center of attention, devise strategies of self-defense, or force others to think the way he did. The way of 'Jesus the humble servant' is the way of service - leading without dominating, inviting people to change without shaming, intimidating or forcing them to think the way we do. To recognize the fact that the core of our being is not in ourselves but in God is to know our ultimate dependence. We are not masters of the universe - we are guests. We will always live dependent on God and interdependent with one another.

Lord Jesus, moral role model, responsible citizen, searcher and humble servant of humanity, mold our minds and our conscience in the way of your truth and love. Help us to become ever more deeply one body, one spirit, one mind and one heart in you. Amen.