By David Peter, CSC –
Readings: Rom 1: 1-7; Lk 11: 29-32
In the first reading, we see St Paul proclaiming the two nature of Jesus. The first is born of human flesh, Son of David. The second, Jesus is the son of God with the power of the Holy Spirit. These two distinct natures of Jesus invite us today to distinguish ourselves as both human with the body and flesh and our spiritual being.
Our spiritual being has the assurance of faith, living in union with the Holy Spirit and born new in the life of holiness through baptism. This new life in holiness is spoken of in the gospel of the day. Jonah showed his humanity when he encountered God and realized the power of God and divine spirit. He was transformed from his bodily life to spiritual life, and then on he began to listen to and follow the word of God.
It is the same account with the people of Nineveh. As long as they were only living their human nature, they go behind the pleasure of the flesh, and lived a sinful life. Once they listened to the word of God through Jonah their lives were transformed from sinfulness to saintliness, flesh to spirit, and death to new life. Now let us reflect: where do we stand today? Are we living a life of the flesh or of the spirit? St Paul says; we are called to be saints as God’s beloved ones.
Therefore, let us all seek the mercy and grace of God that we may not set our life onto the perishable side but on the imperishable side by living the eternal values. Let us ask the Lord to grant us gifts of the Holy Spirit to grow with spiritual essence within us. We pray that we may have the grace to distinguish and accept our life as both flesh and spirit, and to live a life of righteousness and faithfulness to grow as God’s beloved children.