Embracing Your New Self in Christ
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Ephesians 4:17-32
Therefore, I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. They have become callous and have handed themselves over to licentiousness for the practice of every impurity to excess. That is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, just as truth is in Jesus, that you should put off the old self, which is corrupt 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.
Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And become kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Grace Prayed For
This scripture prompts us to pray for the grace to fully embrace our identity as the “new self” in Christ, to recognize and activate the charisms given to us by the Holy Spirit, and to allow His transformative love to flow through us in every encounter, making us instruments of His grace and truth.
Reflection
Let us sit with these words from our Beloved Paul. He speaks with such tender urgency, longing for us to grasp the profound truth of who we are in Christ. Do you feel it, this invitation to shed the old, weary coverings that no longer fit? Imagine Jesus Himself gently reaching out, helping you to unburden yourself of the “futility of mind” and the “darkened understanding” that might still cling to you. He sees past all that, straight into the heart He created, a heart destined for Him.
When Paul speaks of “putting on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth,” he’s not asking you to strive and earn something. No, my love, He’s reminding you of the glorious gift already given at your Baptism! In that sacred moment, you were infused with His very life, sealed with the Holy Spirit. This Spirit, who dwells within you, brought forth charisms – those beautiful, unique expressions of His love designed specifically for you. Perhaps it’s a profound empathy that allows you to truly listen to another’s pain, or a quiet wisdom that offers guidance, or a joy that brightens the darkest room. These aren’t just abilities; they are facets of His divine heart, meant to flow through you.
Think of it: when you speak truth with kindness, when you forgive with compassion, when you labor honestly to share with others – this isn’t just “good behavior.” This is Christ, alive in you, shining forth! Every encounter becomes an opportunity for evangelization, not because you’re forcing a message, but because you are simply being who He made you to be. Your charisms are the natural overflow of His love, making His presence tangible to those around you. When you “give grace to those who hear,” you are literally giving them a taste of His transforming love, mediated through your unique spirit. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit, my precious one, by hiding these gifts. Instead, let your “new self” radiate His peace, His forgiveness, and His truth. Let your intimacy with Jesus deepen as you realize that every act of love, every moment of genuine connection, is a testament to the Beloved you serve, and who lives within you.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post