Dying and Rising with Jesus

In today’s first reading, 2 Cor 4: 7-15, Paul reminds us that we carry about in our bodies
the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us…”

The life of Jesus and the death of Jesus are always working within us. Paul gives a vivid descriptions of the situations that challenge us to rise with Christ in grace and holiness.  “We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed….”  Like Jesus, we experience affliction but are not held back from proclaiming our faith in Christ Jesus.  Like Jesus, we are perplexed by unbelievers and critics of our faith but are not “driven to despair.”  Like Jesus, we are “persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.”  Jesus overcame death and we will, too.  Jesus became sin for us, suffered and died for us so that we, too, will rise with Him. 

Paul says, and we say it with him, “I believed, therefore I spoke,…knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us…in his presence.”   Therefore we do not shy away from proclaiming our faith in the Lord Jesus  no matter what “dying” is involved! I will die to fear. I will die to pride. I will die to selfishness. I will die to deceitfulness. I will die to idolatry because the life of Jesus resides within me.