This week’s Reflections was written by the Rev. Larry Ort, retired Episcopal priest.

In the ancient church, Passion Sunday was employed to remind those who were to be baptized into the Church on Easter Sunday that they are called to follow Christ into a life of sacrifice and suffering. How so?

Imagine you are a convert in Philippi, a Roman colony replete with Roman splendor and honorific titles. As a Roman citizen you have a high level of social status. All your life you have jockeyed to see who would be greatest. You desire to be baptized on Easter morning, to be resurrected from your old life to new life in God’s kingdom. In your instruction for baptism, the words of Paul ring out,

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross (Philippians 2.5-8; NRSV).

In other words, Easter and your baptism are only a few days away. It’s not too late to back out, if this is not the life for you. But if you choose this life, then let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

We are like the Philippians. We live in a society that would have each one of us grab as much as we can. We would be king! We are told we should keep immigrants out so we can have more! We are told we have the right to lead and make war where we would, for we are exceptional! We are encouraged to betray Jesus with a kiss and cozy up to the rich and powerful. Yes, as with Jesus, Satan whispers in our ear — “Fall down and worship me and I will make your America great again.”

During Lent, many of us attempt to gain insights into the mind and life of Jesus. Some of us have subtracted things that we might taste deprivation; others have added things that we might lead a more disciplined life.

We are now in Holy Week. Let us join Jesus on the road to crucifixion and be reminded anew of his passion and suffering. Let us be reminded that Jesus would have us empty ourselves of all that is false such that we can take on the mind of Christ.

Yes, we will suffer in doing so; we will experience a form of death. But with Jesus we will also experience the resurrection power that breaks us from our tomb and leads us into a life of love, prayer, and service.