Dearest friends, one of the core teachings of the Church that is gradually being overlooked by a number of Christians today is the DANGEROUS nature of the FLESH. In fact, among the three enemies of our souls (i.e, the devil, the world and the FLESH), the Church identifies the FLESH as the most dangerous of them (Cf. CCD n. 352). There is a reason for that and I will tell you…
First of all, what does the FLESH mean? According to the Catechism, the FLESH means ‘Our own CORRUPT inclinations and passions’ (Cf. CCD n. 352). Again, the ‘FLESH’ refers to man in his state of WEAKNESS and MORTALITY (Cf. CCC n. 990).
I believe that the above now makes it clearer to us why St. Paul would always warn us against the FLESH (Cf. Rom 8:9, 11:13, Gal 5:16-17). Jesus Christ himself made it very clear thus: “It is the Spirit that gives life; the FLESH profits nothing” (Cf. Jn 6:63).
Now, dearest friends, the FLESH is actually the most dangerous of the enemies of our souls because it is always with us. Thus, there is no place you would be without your flesh. What this means is that, if you and I fail to DISCIPLINE the desires of our FLESH, then our lives would be full of MISERY. Unfortunately, some persons of our generation call such MISERABLE lifestyles FUN. For example, someone who is plunging himself/herself into masturbation, pornography, fornication, adultery, lesbianism, gay, drug/alcohol abuse, etc., may be thinking that he/she is catching FUN but when viewed critically and holistically, you would discover that this person is the most MISERABLE of all. Surely before too long the person would begin to CRY. Are some persons who have been ADDICTED to some of the above vices not crying today? Are some persons whose marriages have crashed because of some of the above vices not crying today? What about those who have eventually lost heaven because of the above vices? The list could go on and on. Do not forget that the desires of the FLESH is also the cause of WARS which destroy lives and property in our world today.
Now, the Church continues to teach us that the only way we could overcome this our ENEMY, the FLESH, is by *SELF-DISCIPLINE/mortification.* Thus, the Catechism affirms:
CHASTITY includes an apprenticeship in SELF-MASTERY which is a training in human freedom. The alternative is clear: either man GOVERNS his PASSIONS and finds PEACE, or he lets himself be DOMINATED by them and becomes UNHAPPY. “Man’s dignity therefore requires him to act out of conscious and free choice, as moved and drawn in a personal way from within, and not by BLIND IMPULSES in himself or by mere external constraint. Man gains such DIGNITY when, ridding himself of all SLAVERY to the PASSIONS, he presses forward to his goal by freely choosing what is good and, by his diligence and skill, effectively secures for himself the means suited to this end (Cf. CCC n. 2339).
Finally, for those who have been enslaved by their flesh, Jesus reassures you thus: “Come to me, all you who have been burdened, and I will refresh you”* (Cf. Matt 11:28). St. Augustine received his own freedom from the slavery of the flesh when he heard the voice that told him to read Romans 13:13-14.
May God grant all of us the freedom of serving him wholeheartedly; and may the Blessed Virgin Mary always intercede for us. Amen.
Happy Sunday and remain blessed!
(Cf. CATECHESIS ‘NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE’ FOR THE 14TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)
READINGS: R1: Zec 9:9-10, R2: Rom 8:9.11-13, Gosp. Matt 11:25-30)
