Live in the Spirit

Live in the Spirit

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Romans 8:1-11, Lk. 13:1-9. The Sacred Scripture proposes interdependence as the ideal state of the people of God. In today's first reading, Paul builds on this insight when he says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world and that on a higher level, through one man, Jesus, the grace of God is freely available to all. For Paul, everyone shares the same flesh and should be gifted by the same Holy Spirit. The “Flesh” for him indicates weakness and moral instability, while the “Spirit” indicates life, purity and permanence. Paul speaks about the power of life in the Spirit, for the Spirit gives character, quality, dignity and integrity, while life in the “Flesh” indicates the life motivated by carnal and worldly desires. With the coming of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit, people are now enlivened by God’s Spirit. Living according to the “Flesh” can only end in frustration and death. Living according to the "Spirit" leads to peace and eternal life with God.

It is God’s spirit indwelling within the us that enables the us to experience not only life here on earth, but to be raised up with Jesus to eternal life. It is the same indwelling of God that saved the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. In today's Gospel, Jesus recalls the death of some Galileans and some people who lived near Siloam in Jerusalem. In this parable, Jesus implies that we must not equate tragedy with divine punishment. Jesus turns attention away from disasters and victims to address those of us who thus far have survived the hazards of the universe and human society. We should not mistake our good fortune as evidence of God’s special blessing. Jesus remarks that God desires us to repent and experience life. To further explain His message, Jesus reminds His disciples that God is patient in forgiving and gives us another chance to make amend.

May the Lord give us courage when things go wrong, strengthen us with faith and hope in love of God! Amen!! Good morning and happy weekend!!!

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