Here's a little paraphrase of St. Paul's instructions in Philippians 2.1-11. Apt guidance for everyday life in our families, work settings, and neighborhoods.

If you climb over others on your way toward your goals, you're blind to Christ in them, and your ego's become your god.

Instead, remember what I've told you: you have everything it takes to set yourself aside and help others find their way.

Look, this is the down-to-earth way of life modeled for us by Christ, and Christ expects us to follow him.

But if you don't do the hard work of letting go of the things you don't think you can live without,

You'll never be able to get past yourself long enough to lend a helping hand.