Throughout Lent, many Christians endeavor to focus on their personal practices – whether it be giving up certain items or pastimes for Lent or taking on new disciplines. The idea is to improve oneself in their relationship with God. While this is a very good practice, in his letter to the people of Philippi, Paul is focused on the community and what it might do to improve its relationship with God.
In the first chapter of the letter, Paul makes reference to some issues that are afflicting the community of believers in Philippi, although he is not very clear what those issues might be. Perhaps, the specifics are not needed as we can learn much from how Paul presents means of improvement. In any case, we know Paul is not addressing individuals but the community as a whole.
