a letter of intent
"Those who live according to the flesh are intent on the things of the flesh, those who live according to the Spirit, on those of the Spirit." —Romans 8:5
Do we live according to the flesh or according to the Spirit? A quick review of our thoughts and actions will answer this question. During the last week, what were we "intent on" in these areas?
- Relationships - Did we spend more time concentrating on getting people to appreciate us, or were we more concerned about how to bring them to a deeper knowledge of Jesus?
- Money - How much time and effort did we put into bettering our financial situation as opposed to devising ways to use money to further God's kingdom?
- Eating - Were we more intent on planning meals for our stomach than on the care and feeding of our souls in the banquet of Eucharist (Jn 6:55) and God's word? (Mt 4:4)
- Entertainment - Are we more intensely absorbed in the outcome of a news or sporting event, book, or TV program than we are in the outcome of a sinner's soul, a prayer request, a pre-born child's survival, or a hungry person's meals? (Lk 16:19-21; 15:7, 10; 13:8-9)
The way we expend our thoughts and actions will tell us whether we live according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. "Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be" (Lk 12:34). Live according to the Spirit. "Be intent on things above rather than on things of earth" (Col 3:2).
Prayer: Father, re-immerse me in the life of the Spirit. May I cherish what You cherish.
Promise: "I tell you, you will all come to the same end unless you reform." —Lk 13:5
Praise: Cynthia gets her news on Catholic radio and television. She not only listens to the news, but prays the news.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 2007
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