Did you know, we Christians have the most optimistic view of humanity? It is a bit counter-intuitive because the Lord Jesus spoke a lot about repenting, turning away from sin, carrying your cross, embracing the difficult path and going through the narrow door. He said that he who seeks to save his life will lose it and he who loses his life for Christ will save it. That he who gains the world will lose his soul.
So, how is this good news or optimistic?
Think about the man with a bad heart, not aware of the impending heart calamity. He is living life as he desires, eating what he wants, not exercising or caring for himself. He has no worries in the world for his health. You, on the other hand, are a heart specialist. You can see the tell-tale signs of serious heart disease. You approach the man and share your concerns. Lovingly, but firmly, you tell him how he needs to change his life. You advise of the needs for a healthy diet, to stop smoking and exercise as well as a good sleep routine. The man’s friends laugh at the advise and listening to them, he continues with his old lifestyle.
In this story, the man and his friends see you as the bad guy.
Jesus Christ is entirely interested in your heart. He loves YOU. He wants you to be eternally happy with Him and to live forever united in Heaven with Him and the angels and saints. For this reason,He came among us 2,000 years ago on that first Christmas Day. He came as the heart specialist to tell us of a better way of life. A way that will lead to stronger, healthier spiritual hearts.
The thing most dangerous to our lives is not physical harm or even bodily death. It is sin. The sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, as well as those actual sins we commit in our lives. Once we get that disordered desire under control, by submitting to His Divine Will and doing good, we improve our spiritual health. We can defeat sin when we connect to the life support system which is the Grace of Jesus Christ. We receive this grace through the Eucharist, Confession, Baptism, and Sacramental Marriage. Through committed daily prayer, spiritual reading, especially the Bible and acts of Mercy and Charity.
Victory is to be had, it is within our reach. We are not married nor defined by our sin.
On the other hand, the world is not so optimistic about victory over our lower passions. It teaches us to make peace with these proclivities we have. The world encourages us to manage these passions, to tame them here and indulge them there. But, ultimately it says there is nothing you can do about these inclinations and habits. The enemy defines you by your sin – in fact, he knows your name but calls you by your sin.
Not so, says Jesus! Jesus knows our sins and calls us by our name. We can defeat all those aspects of our heart which are most injurious to ourselves and others. Sins that feels and “taste” good now, but, will lead to eternal death can be defeated. All we need to do is ask for His healing power a d be ready to change our lives. He will do the rest; the victory is assured!
This reflection was written by Father Jason Charron, Pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Carnegie PA