the battle of desires
“Do not yield to the desires that once shaped you in your ignorance.” —1 Peter 1:14
Satan is trying to make us his slaves by pressuring and manipulating us through our carnal desires. He wants us to live “at the level of the flesh” (Eph 2:3) and to die spiritually (Eph 2:1). Therefore, we must “lay aside” our “former way of life and the old self which deteriorates through illusion and desire” (Eph 4:22). We are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh” (Rm 13:14). “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24).
Instead of living to fulfill the desires of our flesh, we should hunger and thirst for righteousness’ sake (Mt 5:6). We are called to desire and seek first the kingdom of God and His way of righteousness (Mt 6:33). Like Jesus, with great desire we must desire to eat the new Passover with Him (see Lk 22:15), that is, celebrate the Eucharist with Jesus.
Finally, both our good and bad desires will be fulfilled. If our carnal desires have not been crucified, they will be “fulfilled” in the selfishness and isolation of damnation in hell. If we have crucified our carnal desires and nourished our godly desires, we will be fulfilled in love forever, face-to-face with God in heaven. Desire the Lord’s desires.
Prayer: Jesus, be Lord of my desires.
Promise: “There is no one who has given up home, brothers or sisters, mother or father, children or property, for Me and for the gospel who will not receive in this present age a hundred times as many homes, brothers and sisters, mothers, children and property — and persecution besides — and in the age to come, everlasting life.” —Mk 10:29-30
Praise: Bill and Sarah allowed God to work through their marriage by teaching new Catholics in the RCIA program for eighteen years.
Reference: (Is God first in your life? For help, attend Seek First the Kingdom retreat, June 26-28. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.