291.Cure the sickness of our spirit

291. Cure the sickness of our spirit.

Dear Lord, "cure the sickness of our spirit¹" so that we may grow in holiness through your love. The sickness of our spirit is the flesh. Rom 8:8 begins with: Brothers and sisters: Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.

The term, "The flesh" as used in Rom 8:8-11, refers to a state of sin, not a specific kind of sin, but all sin. "For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Rom 8:5-9)

The sickness of our spirit occurs when we place God in second place. We all think that we're "Numero Uno" - No! God is "Number One!" He is firmly in charge. He is the General leading a large Army. He is the cure to our weakness. He is the surgeon who sees the operation through and heals the patient.

When we continue to sin, our spirit is broken. To get back on track, we have Confession, Reconciliation, and Penance. Penance in the days of old was physical punishment of the body, but now in the 21st Century, the penances priests impose are smaller. To make a good confession, here's an "examine" you could use.

May God's blessings be with you all day long.

Fred Schaeffer, SFO
3/5/2008

(1) "Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our spirit, - so that we may grow in holiness through your constant care." from: 3rd Sunday of Lent Morning Prayer, and other Lenten Hours of the "Liturgy of the Hours."

Return to Index