Before delving into these letters, the presenter situated us in the world in which Saint Paul lived and moved. After presenting the historical, social, political, and religious context, he introduced us to the content of the letters. In each letter, Paul sought to respond to a specific conflict experienced and lived by the Pauline communities themselves.

Regarding the Letter to Philemon, the presenter highlighted the role of Paul as an “intermediary” between Philemon and Onesimus. Paul appeals to Philemon’s kindness and mercy so that he may welcome his slave Onesimus back into his house. He does so without imposing anything. Paul appeals to Philemon’s conscience and, at the same time, fully trusts in his good decision. Rereading this letter today, we can underline our own role as interlocutors or mediators in the various conflicts that arise in our daily missionary work.

After studying the Letter to Philemon, we continued with the Letter to the Philippians. In the opinion of the presenter, this letter can be classified as “a letter of friendship.” It is so because of the expressions of mutual affection, the exchange of news, and the favors received. But its true treasure is found in the so-called Christological Hymn (Phil 2:6–11). In it, the Apostle expresses the love he feels for his friends, reaching its highest expression in “imitating” the very sentiments of Christ. The hymn calls for unity, joy, and harmony in a world divided by discord and envy. The Letter to the Philippians serves as a guide and a light to illuminate our coexistence in intercultural communities.

Next, we examined the Letter to the Galatians. The Galatian community was experiencing a serious crisis, a crisis that touched the very essence of Christianity. Paul sought to answer a fundamental question: What does it mean to be a Christian? Is it the Law that saves us, or is it faith? According to the presenter, the true heart of the letter lies in Gal 2:15–21. To justify his argument, Paul appeals to the experience of the Holy Spirit and to the faith of Abraham.

In short, the three letters we studied speak to us of a project of universal fraternity made possible by interculturality. Paul was transformed by the Gospel and by contact with the diverse realities and cultures of his time. We, as missionaries of the Divine Word, must learn from him in our efforts to evangelize the world in which we are called to live.