A Reflection Inspired During Holy Mass
During Holy Mass, I was led to this reflection:
You were made mortal from the earth, but in Baptism, the life of God was infused into you through the cleansing by the holy water, the anointing with the holy oils, and the white garment, representing that the Holy Spirit has been infused into your spirit. You have put on Christ and received His eternal light. From that moment, you began to share in His divine life and were called to eternal life.
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." — Galatians 3:27
"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." — Romans 6:4
It is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you.
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." — Galatians 2:20
As you receive more of what is heavenly, the more you are molded for eternal life. But the more worldly things you take in, the more worldly and mortal you become, bearing worldly fruits.
For example, if you watch more worldly movies, the emotions of the world—fighting, lust, anger, competition, pride, selfish ambition, and revenge—will fill and shape you, changing your orientation to bear worldly fruits.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." — Romans 12:2
But as you fill yourself with the Sacraments, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and prayer, you will be crafted and molded for eternal life, bearing the fruits of patience, sacrifice, love, mercy, forgiveness, humility, purity, kindness, and peace.
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." — Galatians 5:22–23
The real essence within you is the immortal soul that must grow and flourish, overcoming and outgrowing the mortal flesh.
You are sown as a seed, which is mortal.
"What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable." — 1 Corinthians 15:42
The seed needs earthly things to nourish and grow physically, providing a dwelling place for the immortal soul. But as we grow, the immortal soul needs to be fed by the Sacraments, the Word of God, and the Bread of Heaven. It must grow deep roots into the life of Christ, so that the mortal flesh passes away while the immortal soul sprouts forth, strong and firmly rooted in Christ.
Like branches on the Vine, we derive heavenly nourishment from Christ, bearing fruits that heal, serve, and provide shelter for others in the Kingdom of Heaven.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit." — John 15:5
But our problem is that we become stuck in the earthly ground, deriving only earthly food and earthly comforts. Our roots grow only on the surface, seeking what we can see and receive through our physical senses. Thus, we become unstable and fall away easily, just as in the Parable of the Sower.
Matthew 13:20–21
We are not ready to let the flesh die. We want comfort.
Jesus said:
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." — John 12:24
When we refuse to let the old self die, we place the life of our soul in great danger. The soul begins to starve because its roots fail to grow deeply into Christ, the true Giver of Life. Gradually, even the flesh itself begins to decay.
So let us use the things of this world to give our souls shelter until they become stronger and more deeply rooted in Christ. Then let our souls outgrow the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit and God's grace, continually feeding from Christ and bearing fruits for our Heavenly Father for eternity.
Let us work, not for mortal food, but for the food that lasts for eternal life.
"Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life." — John 6:27
Meditation
Read and pray with:
- 1 Corinthians 15
- John 15:1–17
- John 6:27–58
- Matthew 13:1–23
- Romans 8:1–17
- Galatians 5:16–25
