“For if you live according to the dictates of the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you are habitually putting to death the evil deeds prompted by the body, you shall really and genuinely live forever.” Romans 8:13 (AMPC)

If you’ve watched any advertisements lately, listen to any current music, been on Instagram, or have watched any current reality TV shows you will see an overarching message;

“It’s all about me, and it’s all about now.”

Today is Good Friday.

Since my earliest memories of my Catholic upbringing, Good Friday has always been a day of a somber experience.

In my catechism training in parochial school, the crucifix was always present, both visually and symbolically. It wasn’t just a wooden cross that hung above the blackboard; it was the crucifix that held the Suffering Servant......"

“… but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8: 13 NKJV)

The Bible is filled with descriptions similar to Paul’s admonition to “put to death the misdeeds of the body.”

Moses describes for the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30: 11-20 that there are, essentially, two roads before them: one road of wisdom and obedience leading to life and another road of disobedience and folly leading to death.

I sat in the group room in my office, listening to the chatter and hostility of those that were ordered by a judge to be in that room.  They were angry.  Frustrated.  Sad.  Confused.  And they were taking turns expressing their feelings about having to provide drug tests.  That abstinence was “stupid.”  That they were just going to go back to using the day their case was closed.