The spiritual life is a lot like our physical life. We are either striving to move forward, or are regressing - there is no staying the same. Just as our muscles atrophy without work, our spiritual muscle weakens if it’s not exercised. It’s why we say that we “practice our faith.”
In the August 5th reading, we hear Saint Paul invite the Ephesians to a renewal of themselves, much like we do when we begin an exercise program. Just as we have to get off the couch and commit to a new pattern of life when we work out, we commit to a new spiritual pattern of life as imitators of Jesus.
“Brothers and Sisters – I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned in Christ,…, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life; corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.”
Let’s pray - Father of Grace and Mercy. You love us right where we are. But you also love us too much to leave us there. Thank you for the open invitation to renewal – to get off the spiritual couch, to leave our past failings behind, and be renewed in you. Help us strengthen our spiritual muscle as we practice our faith in you.
#godislove #practicethefaith #practice #faith