Col. 3:1-11
Luke 6:20-26
In today’s first reading, Paul is reminding us that as we go about our daily activities and in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, we must always set our minds not on the things of the earth but on the heavenly things. We should not be mistaken, though, in thinking that Paul wants us to live with our heads in the clouds and ignore our responsibilities here on earth. No. Paul is pressing on us the need to bring those heavenly qualities into our everyday living, that is, to remember that eternal life in Christ must always be our focus for we are passing from this world to get to heaven where Christ is.
The things of heaven are the things that we believe and they are connected to the faith we have in Christ. This belief is expressed in our attitudes. The Lord in today’s describes the attitude of a true disciple. What are these attitudes? To be poor in spirit, to be meek, to thirst for God always, to bear witness to him in the midst of persecution etc. It means dying to ourselves in order to live in Christ.
By becoming flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mother Mary, Christ changes our imperfection making us share in the perfected life of heaven. To us our gracious Lord communicates the spotless virtue of a stainless character; to us, he gives the meritorious efficacy of a devoted life; on us, he bestows the reward procured by obedient submission and incessant service. He makes the unsullied garment of his life our covering beauty; the glittering virtues of his character our ornaments and jewels; and the superhuman meekness of his death our boast and glory. Through our baptism, we share in Christ’s death and resurrection. Let us, therefore, set our minds on what is above,” we are admonished, so that we may become the whole person God intends us to be.
Fr Joseph Osho