Worldly standards only lead us to die in Sin

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:21-30*

*First Reading : Nm 21:4-9*

*Worldly standards only lead us to die in Sin* 

*1) Difference between Above and Below*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus makes a difference between what is from above and what is from Below 

All those things which belong to the spiritual realm or to the Heavenly kingdom are called things from above 

All those things which belong to the World and all the Worldly standard things, they are called what is below or things from below 

*2) Jesus says I am from Above*

Jesus is very clear about His identity. He has come from above and he is full of Spiritual things or holy things 

Only Jesus can say that I am from above, because He has come from above and He lived His life according to the above standards 

The Above standards give us life and eternal life 

*3) Things from Below*

All the things which are filled with worldly standards are called things from below 

According Jesus things from below, finally lead us into sin and death 

Destruction and death is the target of worldly things 

Therefore, we need to be very careful about the Worldly things  

*4) Various things from Below*

These are some of the examples of things from below

Pride 

Arrogance

Ego

Greed 

Power 

Authority

Wealth 

Revenge

Selfishness

Money and muscle power 

Injustice

All these things finally lead us into sin and death

*5) Which things Influence me?*

Towards which side my inclination is? 

Things from above or things from below? 

If I am filled with spiritual things I will be leaning towards those things which are from above 

If I am filled with worldly things, I will be leaning towards things from below 

*6) Lent is a time to think and live according to the standards of "above" things*

Lent has a special spirit to draw us towards the things from above 

It makes us to think about the above things which give us new life 

It makes us to live our life according to the standards to heavenly things, which will help to experience the Gospel values in our life 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*