Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - Wednesday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[Col 3:1-11 and Luke 6:20-26]If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated t the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.
Christian faith is demanding! Baptism identifies us with Christ in his life, death and resurrection. This is why St. Paul says, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." This has very practical consequences which are the demanding part! St. Paul goes on to point out some of them! "Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry....." If life is not lived according to "the law" then it must be lived according to an interior motivation, the faith that gives life!
I have encountered many wonderful people who have just experienced a profound connection with Christ because of a particular retreat or program such as a cursillo or Life Teen (or similar youth program). They truly wish to live "the life of Christ" in every way, but they discover that their deep religious experience does not protect them from temptation or deeply ingrained bad habits! In short, they discover that conversion is not a "one time" experience but a lifetime effort. This effort begins with Baptism and not with a program or retreat, as important as those can be in assisting Christian life. It requires honest self-examination and a recognition that God's grace and mercy are necessary since we cannot do it all by ourselves! St. Paul warns the Colossians that they cannot live by the standards of the society around them. Neither can we! AMEN