NEW AND IMPROVED

Colossians 3:1-11; Ps 145 The Lord is compassionate toward all his works; Luke 6:20-26

What is our greatest fear?
Many fear failure.  We all want to be successful at what we do and how we live.  We do not want others to think less of us.  So we try hard to make them (who ever they might be) proud of us.  We try to earn others respect by our actions and our choices.

Many fear the lack of companionship.  We want to know that we will find someone to spend our life with and for.  So many fear being alone.


Many fear dying.  We fear saying good by to the life we have grown accustom. We like our earthly life and all that it offers and all that we find pleasing whether to the senses or to the intellect or even to the spirit.  We cling to it and we struggle with surrender.  We hurt and experience heart ache over the prospect of facing death either our own or that of a loved one.


St Paul is aware of this aspect of human nature, especially the fallen nature of man.  This si why his words are so striking to us in today's first reading.

St Paul tells us, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. "


We are already dead.  We are dead to the world and all that it offers.  And because we are dead we experience a more fuller life.  Strange to think that.  Strange to ponder such a paradox.

Only in dying can we live fully engaged in all that the world offers.


"Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly."  We must learn to live the higher life.

It isn't that we do not experience life and love but rather we experience it more perfectly.

Put to death:immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, anger, fury, malice, slander, obscene language.  Stop lying to one another.  These are St Paul's instructions.

Imagine a life where these vices no longer hound us or weigh us down.

Jesus redefines us.  Our relationship with him changes and transforms us.

It is a gradual transformation, a daily experience.  It is never all at once.  Slowly Christ becomes all in all and we become a new and improved version of ourself.  

This is what is held out to us in Christ each day we walk with him.

Today take a few moments to identify how being in love with Jesus has made a positive impact in your life!  In what way are you better than before.  What is new and improved as you examine your life and take inventory.

Celebrate what God has done in Christ and let the momentum carry your forward.