Towards the end of his Letter to the Philippians, St Paul has words on which we can often ponder. He had written earlier in the letter about his own following of Christ, which is everything for him and which he proposes for each one of us (Phil 3:7-16). But then he adds: ‘Finally, brothers and sisters fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire’ (4:8). These are indeed significant additions. Paul is saying that, as we are captivated by Christ and transformed in him, then also every good thing displayed in this world should fill our hearts and minds.
He means especially whatever is True, and Good, and Beautiful. The manifestations of these are worthy of our admiration and interest. They are in fact supremely given us in Christ, so we are invited to have a care for them. Sometimes in life, indeed, we feel overwhelmed by their opposites – when so much that is unjust, and untrue, and ugly, seems to predominate in the world around us.  But all the more then are we called to discern and uphold what is true, and good, and upright. ‘Lord, help me always to revere and uphold all that is true, and good, and supremely beautiful in this world’.