Embrace the New Self

1 Col. 3:1-11, Lk. 6:20-26. We are pilgrims in this world, constantly on the move to our Heavenly inheritance. This is the thought with the Colossians, a stirring call to live as pilgrims on the earth, Paul urges us to “Be intent on the things above” and to be “formed anew in the image of the Creator.” In today's first reading, Paul invites us to seek and focus on “what is above, not of what is on earth.” He offers practical guidelines to what is needed: to let go of immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires; and invites us to put aside anger, quick temper, malice, foul language and not to tell lies. These guidelines are meant to bring unity and charity, signs of our union with Christ, who is everything to us. Paul elaborates on this by inviting us to embrace our “new self.” Jesus continues the instructive and prophetic directives, challenging the status quo in today's Gospel in the Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes invite us to remember that the goals of our lives are not to live for wealth, satisfaction, contentment, happiness and having a good reputation. Those goals are society’s values; a culture that so starkly contradicts the message and invitation of Christ. Those who are grieving, weeping, excluded and victimized are the ones who are close to God’s care. It means that there is hope and that there are more wonderful place and time is imminent and the destruction, greed, division and tragedy of this world will not have the final say. Let us take an extra time today to ask Jesus to show us God’s desire for us, through our daily actions, experiences, conversations and all that are around us.

May the Lord permeate our innermost being with His Holy light, so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service to Him! Amen!! Good morning and have a wonderful day!!!