This Week Letter – August 22, 2021
It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
Today’s readings show the inner tension and struggle between what is spiritual in us and the expressions of our bodily nature, that is, what our senses recognize and what we react to on the level of feelings and desires. In the first reading from the book of Joshua, we hear the prophet appeal to the people to decide whom they want to serve: God or other false gods and idols. The people express their desire to serve the Lord, who, as they say, “brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” However, as Joshua himself later states: “You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God” (v. 19) “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord.” He sees that they do not realize the magnitude and responsibility of their choice, and that their hearts are unable to serve Holy God because they do not know how. These days we have the same conflict. It is impossible to serve God whose Word is Spirit and Life, and at the same time, conduct ourselves according to the desires of the senses, lusts, vices, ideas of the world, political correctness, and constant entertainment and pleasure seeking.
The misunderstanding of spiritual matters was also evident in Jesus’ disciples. After all, they said, “This speech is difficult. Who can listen to it? ” So, He asked them, “Do you also want to go away?”
Jesus sees them murmur. He explains to them that to spiritually understand His teaching is a gift, and those who have been given it by the Father come to spiritual unity with Him. The path to this union is Love – Agape. Just as He himself gave his life for the Church – his bride, so we must humbly serve one another to achieve our purpose – the salvation of our soul. ‘Agape’ love – is the offering of oneself to the end, as Jesus did, “… because Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, (…) that she might be holy and without blemish. ”
Today, the spiritual division of our society is very evident, and it stems from within people’s hearts. Jesus wants to help us, but He asks us to “understand with the heart”: ” they will hardly (…) understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.” (Mt 13:15) Only if we choose his healing, we will be able to cry out as Peter did: ” Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God. ” Only then will our hearts be able to cry out: ” I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad… ”
RH