Perhaps this is why Onesimus was away from you for a while,
that you might have him back forever,
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother,
beloved especially to me, but even more so to you,
as a man and in the Lord.So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.
And if he has done you any injustice
or owes you anything, charge it to me.
I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay.
May I not tell you that you owe me your very self.
Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord.
Refresh my heart in Christ.
(Plhm 15-20)
Poor Onesimus . . . being sent back to his master, Philemon, who had the power to execute his runaway slave. Of course, Saint Paul was pulling a few heart-strings and paved the way of return with golden words: “welcome him as you would me.” Today is the feast of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. His tomb is in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.
