“That we may not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds” 

In Baptism, we “presented our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” Paul calls this our “spiritual (logikos) worship” or “reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). “Reasonable” calls us to act by reason instead of blind conformity to the culture. But Christians can’t help connecting logikos to the Logos, the Word of God made flesh in Jesus, the Truth beyond all truths accessible to human reason alone (John 1:1-14). Everything we do should be, not only reasonable and “acceptable to God,” but “holy,” divine, guided by a Truth that is above and beyond all human cultural values. 

For this, we must be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” This is the work of the Holy Spirit. We begin our day asking that we “may not be conformed to this world,” to the unexamined attitudes and values of our society, but instead “walk by the Spirit,” freed from slavery to the “flesh” of human cultural standards (Romans 8:2ff.). 

We are asking to be “transformed” by the Light of Life, incarnate in the Word, and expressed in the words of God. We are asking, accepting, and committing ourselves to live and act on the level of God. 

This reminds us of our call and commitment to be both disciples—”students” of the mind and heart of Jesus—and prophets, who bear witness to Christ by a lifestyle inexplicable without the Gospel. Both commitments are essential to living an authentic Christian life. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings on the USCCB website here

Easter season is the time to focus on the Holy Spirit. Starting on Easter Sunday, we will look carefully at how the Spirit is proclaimed, invoked, and presented to us in the Mass. Lex orandi, lex credendi: “As the Church prays, so she believes.”

After that, we will reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22), and at how the Spirit enters the life of those who believe.

As you read these reflections, ask for the gift of Understanding. Ask to really understand what you believe, what you see and hear at Mass. Go deeper into understanding the Mass than you ever have before. We experience the Faith when we become aware of its mystery. We hope you reflect deeply on the Mass and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself more and more drawn into the mysteries of our Lord in the Mass and in His Gifts.