Sunday, March 25, 2007

A Sermon Named Desire

I thought Fr. Dunbar gave a wonderful sermon today. He had to handle Paul's desire for "the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus" without making it sound like the death wish of the "becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead" part of the reading. Indeed, how do we living creatures reconcile this desire to become God-like with our desires for life and earthly things? Those who dwell on the former do not lose the latter. Instead, they will get "Heaven with the Earth thrown in" (C.S. Lewis). Those who dwell on the latter will lose the former. Alas, too often most of us never give spiritual matters a "passing" thought. If people would strive for balance of mind, body, and spirit then we might be better able to serve the Eternal and the mortal together. Is this impossible?
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:53 PM

    I agree with your comments on Fr. Dunbar's sermon. His several points were well-taken and presented in a cohesive and logical manner. I disagree with your comment on serving the Eternal and the mortal together. I suggest reading either Matthew 6:24 or Luke 16:13 for further enlightenment.

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  2. Undergroundpewster11:12 AM

    So it is impossible. Let us then abandon our mortal flesh and hasten unto the Lord. The great enlightened ones can do this (leave their bodies 'at will'), but I am not there yet. I shall therefore eat, drink, and exercise to keep this body going. Even the hermit who is eager in his anticipation of death maintains his mind, body, and spirit and continues in the Opus Dei. It seems that when we serve the Lord, we wind up serving the body, for that is one of the tasks the Lord has given us.

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  3. Anonymous12:53 PM

    You are wise beyond your years, O Great Pewster! If we serve the Lord well, our bodies receive the ancillary benefit. But the primary focus must always be on serving the Lord well.

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