“I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.” Galatians 5:17
In an age when Christian moral teachings and even common sense are increasingly at odds with popular wisdom and worldly attempts to redefine human nature, St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is well worth our attention. Paul states that although Christians have been set free from the Old Testament law, they are now called to an even greater fidelity and deeper understanding of the new law, inscribed on the heart. Knowing that men and women are tempted to give in to “desires of the flesh,” Paul reminds Christians to follow the Spirit of God and reject the way of the flesh, which leads back to the slavery of sin.
This is not an easy call to fulfill. Only by focusing on the Lord and allowing the Spirit to guide us can it be accomplished. If Jesus has called us to follow Him, He will provide the strength and courage we need, but first, we must be willing to sacrifice all our selfish desires.
Jesus affirms this in the Gospel reading, calling His disciples to follow Him without looking back to what they left behind. They, like Him, carry a message that is often unwelcome; they will face rejection, hatred, and persecution. Some will be asked to forsake the comfort of home and family ties to follow Jesus. And all followers of Christ must be ready to stand against the wisdom of the world, to proclaim the Truth “in season and out of season” (2 Tim 4:2).
The truth about human nature is certainly not in season today, when the definition of the human person as male and female, the value of human life, and the sanctity of marriage are all being debated and challenged. Standing against the tide takes courage, wisdom, and love, but all things are possible with Christ. Abandon yourself completely to God and never look back, trusting in Jesus to provide all that you need to proclaim the truth of the Gospel with love and mercy to an often unwelcoming world.
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