"The root of all conduct is the mind" (Sir 37:17). Therefore, a great battle rages between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness for control of our minds. Whoever wins the war for our mind will also gain control of our actions, whether for good or for evil (see Sir 37:18). This is why Scripture has so much to say about our mind. We must "be transformed by the renewal of [our] mind," but this can't happen until we break away from the influence of the worldly culture around us (Rm 12:2).

The kingdom of darkness cannot coexist with the kingdom of God, as Jesus makes clear in today's Gospel reading. One kingdom or the other must be driven out (see Lk 4:35). So it is with our minds. We must drive out our sinful and empty thoughts "and acquire a fresh, spiritual way of thinking" (Eph 4:23).

In Baptism, we became children of God and were immersed in the Holy Spirit. When we renewed our Baptism at Easter, we rejected Satan's empty works and promises, and by implication, empty and sinful thoughts. Immersed in the Holy Spirit, we take control of our thoughts, bringing "every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5). We empty our minds of bad thoughts and continually replace them with good thoughts.

"Your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise" (Phil 4:8). Love God "with all your mind" (Lk 10:27).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 26, 2006

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