5th Sunday of Lent – Year A
Romans 8:8-11
The Flesh and the Spirit
Homily Topics
Those who live in the flesh cannot please God, but those who live in the Spirit have life. The Spirit of God who raised Jesus dwells in you.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Embrace the Spirit, Overcome Weakness
In Romans 8:8-11, Paul teaches us that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God, as they are not in submission to God’s laws. And yet, those who live by the Spirit, have life through the Spirit, as the Spirit of God dwells in them. In short, we must choose between living in the flesh or in the Spirit, and that choice ultimately determines our fate.
During Lent, we are given the opportunity to reflect and repent, to turn away from the things of this world that tempt us towards sin and instead turn our hearts towards God. By doing so, we will be more receptive to the Spirit of God, and through this, we shall overcome our struggles.
However, this process is not without its challenges. The devil is always present, tempting us to choose the flesh over the spirit. That is why we must hold steadfast to our faith, for the Spirit of God dwells in us and aids us through our trials.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Live in the Spirit, Discover New Meaning.
Romans 8:8-11 is a powerful message about the importance of living a life that is guided by the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are called to find meaning and purpose in the world around us, but this can be a challenge in today’s culture. We are bombarded with messages of materialism, individualism, and secularism, which can lead us astray from our faith.
Yet, in the midst of this, Paul reminds us that we are not of the world; we are in the Spirit. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, guiding us, and giving us strength to overcome the temptations of the world. When we follow this guidance, we can find true meaning and fulfillment in life.
But how do we tap into the power of the Spirit? It starts with a willingness to surrender our lives to God. We must turn away from the worldly desires that can distract us from our faith and open our hearts and minds to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
This can be a difficult process, but it is essential if we wish to live a life that is pleasing to God. We must allow the Spirit to work within us, to transform our hearts, and to give us the strength to live as God intended.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Raising Godly Children: Live It and Lead It
In today’s reading from the Book of Romans, we hear that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God. This passage reminds us that when we put our focus on worldly pleasures and desires, we are not living in a way that is pleasing to God.
As parents, we have a tremendous responsibility to raise our children in a way that is pleasing to God. That means we must model for our children what it means to live a life centered on Christ.
We must teach our children to put their faith in God and to live their lives according to his will. We must instill in them a desire to please God rather than seeking to please themselves.
We must also remind our children that they are not alone in their journey through life. The Holy Spirit is with them, guiding them and empowering them to live according to God’s will. When our children invite the Holy Spirit into their lives, they can experience the peace, joy, and love that comes from living a life centered on Christ.
We, as parents, must continue to breathe life into our children. We are called to encourage them, model to them, and walk alongside them as they grow in their faith. Our role is not to control or manipulate them, but to guide them towards the beacon of light that is Christ.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Empowering Diversity, Strengthening Unity
As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, embracing one another in all of our differences, and rejoicing in the unity that we share in Christ.
We live in a world that is increasingly divided by differences of culture, race, gender, nationality, and religion. Many of these differences are the result of centuries of historical and cultural differences that have contributed to a legacy of discrimination, inequality, and exclusion.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be different; to reject the ways of the world and embrace the ways of the Spirit. We must set an example of unity, forgiveness, and understanding, recognizing that we are all created in the image of God.
We are all members of one body, and just as the Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead, the Spirit of God empowers us to live in peace and harmony, regardless of our differences. It is through our diversity that we become stronger, more compassionate, more loving, and more faithful.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Work in the Spirit, Find Your Fulfillment
Today’s reading from Romans, chapter 8 verses 8 to 11, speaks to us about the importance of the work we do as followers of Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But, for those who are in the Spirit, they are able to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live according to the Spirit.
The theology of work is a vital component of our faith. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, which means that we are meant to have a positive impact on society. Our work is an essential aspect of this mission.
In other words, our work is not just a means of earning a living or achieving personal success. Rather, it is an opportunity to serve God and to make a difference in the world. Whether we are teachers, doctors, lawyers, laborers, or any other kind of worker, we can use our skills and abilities to serve others and bring glory to God.
However, we must always remember that our work does not define us. We are not our jobs, but rather we are children of God. We do not find our identity in what we do, but in who we are in Christ. This means that even when we face challenges or setbacks in our careers, we can still find hope and meaning in God’s love and grace for us.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Live Free in the Power of the Spirit
Addiction is a complicated disease that affects not only the person who is addicted but also their loved ones. It can consume a person’s life, causing them to lose sight of what is truly important. Addiction is a bondage that keeps people in the flesh and prevents them from living in the Spirit.
However, recovery is possible. Recovery is about letting go of the old ways and embracing a new life in the Spirit. It is about making the conscious decision to live in faith and not in fear, to seek peace and not chaos. In recovery, we learn to trust in God and surrender our will to His. We acknowledge that we cannot do this on our own and must rely on God’s strength to carry us through.
Paul’s words in Romans 8:8-11 encourage us to embrace a life in the Spirit. By doing so, we can break free of the chains of addiction and live a life of purpose and fulfillment. We are reminded that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives within us, and we can tap into that power to overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
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Stephen Arterburn
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Resist the Devil’s Lure, Choose the Path of Righteousness
Roman’s 8:8-11 is a profound reminder of the critical role that the Holy Spirit plays in helping us resist the temptation of the devil. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us that life in the flesh is equal to death, while life in the Spirit is equal to peace and joy.
This passage speaks to how the devil tempts us. He targets our weaknesses, our fears, and our desires, and tries to steer us off the righteous path that leads to eternal life. The devil tempts us with pleasures of the flesh, with instant gratification, and with the allure of worldly success.
But as St. Paul writes, if we live according to the flesh, we will die. The devil’s temptations can only lead us down a path of destruction, away from God’s grace, and towards eternal damnation.
However, if we live according to the Spirit, and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, we can overcome the devil’s temptations. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength and wisdom to recognize and resist the devil’s deceptions. It empowers us to turn away from sin and seek the will of God in our lives.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Let Your Light Shine with Wise Stewardship
As faithful stewards of God, this passage calls us to be mindful of our actions and decisions. We must ask ourselves if we are living in the flesh or in the Spirit. Are we focused on pleasing ourselves or are we focused on pleasing God? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions or are we relying on our own limited understanding?
To be effective stewards of God’s resources, we must be guided by the Holy Spirit. This means surrendering our selfish desires and seeking God’s will in all that we do. We must be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and be willing to follow wherever He leads us.
One key aspect of stewardship is the responsible use of the resources that God has entrusted to us. As stewards, we are called to use these resources to glorify God and further His kingdom. This means not only using our resources for our own benefit, but also for the benefit of others.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Seek the Spirit, Shape Your Future
Roman’s 8:8-11 speaks to the importance of choosing to live in the Spirit rather than the flesh. For young people choosing what to do in their lives, this means seeking God’s guidance and direction, and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them in making decisions about their future. When we choose to live in the Spirit, we are choosing to please God and follow His will for our lives. This may mean making choices that others don’t understand or that don’t seem to make sense in the world’s eyes, but ultimately, it will lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life that honors God.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Don’t Hate, Communicate
Regarding hate speech, Rom 8:8-11 could be understood as a reminder that those who act according to their fleshly desires cannot please God. Hate speech is a manifestation of a person’s negative emotions, beliefs, and prejudices. Thus, it can be seen as a form of fleshly behavior that does not conform to God’s commandment of love and respect towards others. The verse also mentions that those who belong to Christ have the Spirit of God within them, which grants them life and righteousness. This Spirit should lead them to act in a way that honors God and shows love and compassion for others, even those who differ from them.
Therefore, Christians should be mindful of their words and actions, remembering that they are representatives of Christ and seekers of His righteousness. Hate speech and discriminatory attitudes should be avoided as they are contrary to the Spirit of God that dwells in them. Instead, Christians should seek to build bridges, foster dialogue, and show kindness and empathy towards others, even those whose beliefs or actions they disagree with.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
John Paul II: Culture of Life vs. Culture of Death
Romans 8:5-11 talks about the contrast between the mind set on the flesh and the mind set on the Spirit. The former leads to death, while the latter leads to life and peace. It explains that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in those who belong to Christ. The passage emphasizes the importance of setting our minds on the things of the Spirit, which leads to life.
In comparison, John Paul II’s concept of the culture of death vs. culture of life relates to the broader societal values and practices. He argued that the culture of death is characterized by a disregard for the dignity of human life, including abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty, as well as a focus on personal pleasure and material possessions. On the other hand, the culture of life embraces the fundamental value of human life, and promotes the protection of life at all stages. This includes respect for the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death, as well as a commitment to social justice and the common good.
While Romans 8:5-11 focuses on the individual’s mindset and choices, John Paul II’s concept of culture of death vs. culture of life highlights the larger societal norms and values that shape those choices. Both perspectives emphasize the importance of choosing life-giving values and practices, and rejecting those that lead to death and destruction.