The greatest tragedy possible is to end in the flesh. Jesus died and rose to make us new creations. It would be a great tragedy to die still trapped in our fallen nature and refusing the total newness of life in Christ (see 2 Cor 5:17; cf 2 Pt 2:21).
If we die in the flesh, it will probably not be because we rebelled against God shortly before our deaths. Dying in the flesh, instead of dying to the flesh, is a harvest of corruption produced by the sowing and growing of seeds in the field of the flesh (Gal 6:8). Where are you sowing now? What fields are you beginning to cultivate? Are you planted as a couch-potato in front of the TV or addicted to your handheld electronic device? Are you wasting your seed (see Gn 38:9) in masturbation, artificial contraception, pornography, and other forms of lust? Are you sowing your money in consumerism, gambling, and other forms of greed? The fields in which you sow will determine what harvest you reap (see Hos 8:7).
Therefore, "put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh" (Rm 13:14). Crucify the "flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24). "You are not to spend what remains of your earthly life on human desires but on the will of God. Already you have devoted enough time to what the pagans enjoy" (1 Pt 4:2-3). Do not live "at the level of the flesh," but receive God's mercy (Eph 2:3-4).
| PRAYER: | Holy Spirit, fight against the flesh in my life (Gal 5:17). |
| PROMISE: | "If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" –Lk 11:13 |
| PRAISE: | Bill returned to weekly Mass after an absence of over ten years because some members of the St. Lawrence Parish Evangelization team cared enough to knock on his door and invite him to join them. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College