Life in Christ is a journey into transformation, into
newness. It asks for the giving up of things of the flesh, that is,
self-centered, self-absorbed, worldly gain, the incurvatus in se, being turned in toward self, that Luther calls
sin. We would often rather, like Jonah, sell our donkey, so we don’t have to
take this journey, but Christ is whispering in our ear “I am yours” awaiting
our “I am yours.” And when the two come together – fire! wind!
Abba Joseph, a desert father, was approached by Abba Lot, who
informed him that he had kept his rule of prayer, fasted, purified his
thoughts, and lived peaceably – what more could he do? Abba Joseph held out his
hands toward heaven, fingers extended, and said, “You can become fire.” Each
fingertip blazed like a candle.
May we
become fire, O God, and live as your light in the world. Amen
- Give something up – a bad
habit, a grudge, despair …
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