The tragedy of the Person who seeks his strength in Flesh

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 16:19-31*

*First Reading : Jer 17:5-10*

*The tragedy of the Person who seeks his strength in Flesh*

*1) The Biblical meaning of Flesh*

From a biblical perspective, the flesh is "that which is contrary to the spirit" (see Galatians 5:17). The flesh and the Spirit are two opposing forces that exist within a believer. The Spirit is just that—the Holy Spirit. The flesh is the part of a believer that disagrees with the Spirit.

The contents of flesh are all dirty and evil things such as hatred, envy, anger, desire, pride, adultery, seeking one's own, rudeness, speaking ill  about others 

So flesh stands for something evil and sensual pleasure

*2) The fate of those who keep their trust in Flesh*

Cursed is the person who seeks strength in the flesh 

His heart turns away from the Lord 

He is like a barren bush in the desert

He sees or seeks any change in his/her life 

His life becomes a counter witness and waste like a barren land 

*3) The strength of the Flesh*

First of all the strength of the flesh is very limited. It has no enduring power 

Secondly the flesh has a destructive power and not the constructive power 

The strength of the flesh always in contrary to the strength of the Spirit. It always in fight with the Spirit

The strength of the flesh has no satisfaction. It leads to greed and slavery 

That's why one should be careful about the strength of the Flesh 

*4) Various faces of the Strength of flesh*

Anything that goes against the good values, comes under the category of flesh

Sensual pleasures

Anger 

Greed 

Selfishness

Revenge

Hatred 

Pride 

Ego 

Too much attachments to worldly things

Power 

Position

Wealth

Authority

These are various faces of the flesh 

*5) Where is my Strength?*

Is it coming from the Lord or from the worldly things? 

The psalmist says *My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth* Ps 121:1

One who believes in the strength of the flesh is destroyed

One who believes in the strength of the Lord, is like a tree planted in the River side, which is always green  and fresh and gives fruits on time 

Where is my Strength??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*