Eccl. 1:2; 2:21-23; Ps. 90:3-6, 12-14, 17; Col. 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk. 12:13-21
The new self is in the image of the creator putting to death the earthly and receiving Christ. The old self is vanity, seeking the passions of the flesh and storing up the riches of the world. The greatest treasure of earthly life lies in the kingdom of God that lies within the soul until we enter into the heavenly glory. The new self is restored to the sanctity of life no longer drawn to the passions of this world but to the inner voice of God. It is a hunger for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and a distaste for the vanities of the world.
The treasure of the kingdom of God is our unity in the one body of Christ that is the bond of love that gives life meaning and purpose in which we live and die to self for the other, the one we love. It is Christ above us to lift us up to things that are above, Christ within us in the Eucharist to nourish body and soul with divine grace, and Christ before us in our neighbor to call us to serve him daily.
The new self must also guard one’s body as the body and soul are one being and what affects the body impacts the soul and what the soul lives gives life to the well-being of the body. Everything else is vanity! Christ reminds us that it is in the body where he comes to build the temple of the Holy Spirit. The body is given no less respect that the mind or emotions from the heart. Respect for the body extends from what we drink, eat, inhale to who we expose our intimacy with. All impact the soul and our relationship with self and with God.
The old self is a restless mind that does not seek rest in God but in how it takes control over its life and influences others. This vanity is an illusion of power and not a trust in a greater power than ourselves. A restless mind brews anxiety, fear, and obsession that can spiral out of control into paranoia, panic, and depression. It is a mind in which every action is scrutinized and no answer seems to be sufficient and peace is always beyond reach.
It is often said we are to trust as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on self. This requires a life that is actively engaged in prayer even as we move about our day seeking the will of God not our will and the wisdom to know the difference. The new self is wrapped in prayer as we lift our mind to God and open our heart to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Jesus comes in the moments of life to engage us where we are. This is the new self who hears his voice and opens up his heart. Prayer is the answer.
The Lord prospers the work of our hands when we not only offer it up for his blessing but we offer ourselves up in the love and sacrifice of our hands. We are part of the labor of love that gives life and blessing to those who come to share and receive from our work. Our work is to be a blessing that adds to the goodness of life. The rich man desired to store up for himself his harvest and is called a “fool” for his greed. In the beginning of life, we seek to build up our human treasures and keep seeking the next best material thing and in the end of life we end up giving away what we possess, trying to hold onto only our health to extend or days.
The Lord fills the earth with many good blessings to bring joy, peace, beauty, unity, and our daily bread. If our hearts are not filled with gratitude, we fail to recognize God’s presence and blessings in our life. It follows the principle of compounding gains or losses meaning the more we focus on the negative the greater we engage and invite negativity into our life while the more we focus on the positive the greater we are open to receive positive blessings in our life. The Lord fills the heart that is open and ready to receive his goodness but he cannot give to a closed heart. Put on the new self and live with the end in mind, as if it was the first day of life and the last day of life, and the only day that matters. “Christ is all and in all.”
Recent Comments