In simple words our Gospel calls us to be concerned. Concerned not just about anything, but about our salvation. So often people forget the pursuit of this concern and instead place their concern into the pursuit of other areas, worldliness and the increase of our passions. Therefore before we know it our life revolves not around our salvation, but instead the many vices which were listed by Saint Paul in our Epistle: “fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.”
If we were to proclaim this list in the midst of society you would end up with a lot of flack. Some will say that you are out of touch with modern times. Others will not see why any of these things are so bad because they bring so much joy to the lives of others. Sadly, there are even those within the Church who use their teaching authority to undermine and make excuses for these various sins which were outlined.
In the midst of attachment of sin I understand that it can be difficult to move ourself away from this attachment. Despite this difficulty we cannot allow ourself to rationalize our sin or think that it is to great for me to stop. As Saint Paul said in his 2nd Letter to the Corinthians: “a thorn in the flesh was given to me.” Truly, to some extent each of us join with Saint Paul in enduring this thorn in our flesh, but let remember that which was stated later in this passage: “I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.”
Saint Paul goes on in our Epistle to give a list which lifts us out of this enslavement and so we are told: “But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continecy, chastity.” Again if one were to proclaim this list in the midst of society the would end up with a lot of flack for for the most part we have come to accept certain sinful practices as becoming a norm. Therefore in the midst of the Church we need to have concern for these various virtues which lead us towards an encounter with God and work on separating ourself from these various vices which rip us away from Him.
If we are to move vice out of our life we must move virtue into our life to push the vice out. Going back to Saint Paul we must come to trust and cooperate with the grace that is constantly being poured out for us. So many do not have concern for eternal life, but instead live for the here and now. They have allowed themselves in their belief of being free spirited to actually be slaves. There is always hope in these shackles being lifted from us, but we have to trust in the Lord who is merciful and just if this is to be made so. To think of the true transformation for Christ Jesus which would take place if those within the pews would take this message to heart and live their life for Him instead of living their life for the ways of the world.
