Today’s Reading sums up enough to let even hardened sinners recognize things that will draw their souls into eternal pain. We see that many of these things are praised, glorified, and encouraged by lost souls and the demonic spirits that have led them astray. Our lives are a battle in which we are called to leave the works of the flesh for the works of the spirit.
The reading from 1 Galatians, 5:18-25, helps quantify the place in hell to be anticipated by those embracing more than one of fifteen destructive courses of thought, word, or deed:
“Brothers and sisters:
If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.”
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
This list sums up fifteen things that should be avoided. The list goes on, with the generally descriptive phrase “and the like”.
If we catch ourselves thinking, saying, or doing things that come under the heading “Works of the flesh”, we must reverse them. As we go through the day, we see lots of earthly temptations justifications for such thoughts, words, and deeds. What’s the best way to leave the works of the flesh for the works of the spirit?
The rest of the reading gives the answer:
“In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.”
So, when we have thoughts described in the first part of the reading, we cancel them out by asking for the fruits of the Spirit. Does our guardian angel have the power to help us leave the works of the flesh for the works of the spirit?
Yes.
