fields of flesh
"After beginning in the Spirit, are you now to end in the flesh?" —Galatians 3:3
The greatest tragedy possible is to end in the flesh. Jesus died and rose to make us new creations. It would be a great tragedy to die still trapped in our fallen nature and refusing the total newness of life in Christ (see 2 Cor 5:17).
If we die in the flesh, it will probably not be because we rebelled against God shortly before our deaths. Dying in the flesh, instead of dying to the flesh, is a harvest of corruption produced by the sowing and growing of seeds in the field of the flesh (Gal 6:8). Where are you sowing now? What fields are you beginning to cultivate? Are you planted as a couch-potato in front of the TV? Are you wasting your seed (see Gn 38:9) in masturbation, artificial contraception, pornography, and other forms of lust? Are you sowing your money in consumerism, gambling, and other forms of greed? The fields you are sowing in will determine what harvest you reap (see Hos 8:7).
Therefore, "put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh" (Rm 13:14). Crucify the "flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24). "You are not to spend what remains of your earthly life on human desires but on the will of God. Already you have devoted enough time to what the pagans enjoy" (1 Pt 4:2-3). Do not live "at the level of the flesh," but receive God's mercy (Eph 2:3-4).
Prayer: Holy Spirit, fight against the flesh in my life (Gal 5:17).
Promise: "If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" —Lk 11:13
Praise: Pete and Barbara raised their children without television but with much prayer. They all have remained faithful to the Church in their adulthood.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Be Holy, For I Am Holy, order or download our leaflet by that title on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 3, 2018
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