Carmen Christi (Palm Sunday)

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This Sunday’s epistle reading is known as the “Carmen Christi,” a hymn that was composed by the early Christians. Although St. Paul quotes the hymn, it probably existed long before he wrote the letter to the Philippians. The hymn presents some of the highest Christology in the early Church, as it presents Jesus as “being in the form of God,” being “highly exalted” and bestowed with “the name above every name.” The declaration that every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord calls to mind Isaiah 45:23, where God says the following:

By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” (Isaiah 45:23)

By attributing this statement by God to Jesus, the hymn in effect confesses that Jesus is the same God that speaks in Isaiah.

The purpose for which he quotes the hymn is to encourage the Philippian Christians to follow the example of Jesus in being humble and serving others. He indicates this in Philippians 2:1-5, which set up the purpose for which he quotes the hymn:

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 2:1-5)

According to Paul, Christ is the supreme example of humility because, although He was fully divine, He did not regard this divinity to be something to be held onto. Instead, He emptied Himself for the sake of our salvation. In so doing, He shows us what it means to put the interests of others ahead of one’s own, and encourages believers to do likewise.

As we reflect on the example of Christ, let us find ways to humble ourselves, think of ourselves less, and do good for others. In so doing, we become more conformed to His image and live lives that are pleasing to Him.

J. Luis Dizon