Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Phi 3:21 KJV)

St. Paul and his followers are not focussed on the body. Rather the nurturing of their body with food and dress are but a side issue. The main thing in their mind and life was the confession of Christ’s salvation attained on the cross and hence the striving to the eternal home in the heavenly abode of the Father. Compared to the daily life of idolatry of those serving their stomach, these slaves of daily worries and worldly care, the pursuers of a pampered life there can hardly be a more stark contrast than with the life of those, who are blissfully poor, do not need the passing worldly fancy and don’t seek it either. Rather they willingly bear shortcomings as they are eternally well taken care of. Serving our stomach does not only culminate in its final decay, but rather precedes the eternal damnation of our physical being that is far worse than this first death. Yet those, who strove first for the kingdom of God and for its righteousness there will come a physical reality that by far outshines our present existence in glory and bliss as it will be “fashioned like unto his glorious body”. Great God, who can grasp this? It is way beyond our comprehension, yet the apostle strengthens our faith and hope with his assurance of Christ’s omnipotence and willingness to do this “according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself”.

O Father of mercy and God of all comfort, you font of life and salvation! When are we to go from this vale of tears and at last see your glorious kingdom? When are we to appear before your heavenly throne and see your glorious countenance? Let us soon see this wonderful day of eternal bliss, when we will rejoice with all the saints in your life and salvation. Come Lord Jesus, come and do not hesitate or pause. Deliver us from captivity and lead us to everlasting joy and gladness. You have promised: “I will come to you and take you with me, so that you be where I am.” Lord, come soon and fulfil this your wonderful promise, so that all those saved can be with their saviour, the children reunited with the Father and those sanctified be with the most Holy. You have given us the Holy Spirit, the comforter as guarantee of our eternal inheritance. Therefore grant us this inheritance itself in heaven and let us attain, what we have here believed for your names sake. Amen.    (B. Stölzin)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the twenty third Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 382 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.