Thinking like Christ

He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight of him is a burden to us because his manner of life is unlike that of others, and his ways are strange…Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them, and they did not know the secret purposes of God. Wisdom 2: 15,21-22

Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who… humbled himself and became obedient unto death. Philippians 2:5, 8b

The first passage above is from the book of Wisdom written around 200 B.C. You really have to read the whole chapter- it is a remarkable prophecy of Christ’s suffering, death and rising. But it also is a testimony to how different God’s ways are from our ways of thinking apart from him.

And that reality has been challenging me in recent weeks during my times praying over Scripture. The Lord wants to renew our ways of thinking about everything! Take as one example Jesus’ question and teaching to the disciples found in Matthew 16:13-27. Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter responds by the revelation of God, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” The Lord then goes on to explain his mission as Messiah and how he will suffer, die and be raised on the third day. Pete got the revelation that Jesus was Messiah, but when it came to the revelation of His mission, he could not comprehend how that had to do with Jesus, in fact he also would have feared what that would mean for him as lead disciple! I imagine Peter thinking to himself, “If you Lord, who are Christ, are to suffer and die, then what about me your follower?! Jesus in fact went on to say, "if anyone would come after him, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Like Peter, I recognize within myself patterns of thinking that are not yet subject to the Lordship of Christ. Thoughts that essentially continue to preserve my self life. Thinking that is not consistent with what I profess. Just like Peter, I can say by the grace of God, “Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of God!” But when he tells me that his mission also requires, death to self, I recognize areas of my mind that clearly are resistant to Him and need renewal! I want to say, God forbid!-just like Peter.

The Lord wants us to be his witnesses from the inside out. Like the passage from wisdom, he wants our manner of life to be unlike others, because we are growing in oneness with the Lord.

Some practical ways to co-operate with the Holy Spirit transforming our thinking

The good news is that the Lord knows exactly where we don’t have the mind of Christ and wants to transform our minds by the renewal of his Holy Spirit within us! (Romans 12:2). He is for you and He is the one who can change your mind!

In order for this to occcur it means hanging out with the Lord in daily personal prayer and Scripture.

It means being with Church as we celebrate the Liturgy and receiving his Word and His Body and Blood.

He wants to break strongholds of our thinking by his divine power (2 Cor. 10:4-6). That means if there are areas where evil spirits are influencing our thinking, we have authority in our Lord Jesus to renounce and give up fellowshipping with those patterns of thinking.

For our part he wants us to surrender to him. We need to talk to him daily and make a practice of surrendering to his leadership of my entire life. We can ask for his light to reveal the darkness within and to then renounce thought patterns that are not consistent with who He is and who we are. It is also wonderful that we can take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation for more power to hold firm in our resolutions to draw closer to the Lord!

One last thing, St Paul’s exhortation to have the mind of Christ is spoken to Christians, the church and not just to ‘me and Jesus.’ A very important support to being a disciple of Jesus today is having some brothers or sisters who you can fully reveal yourself to. Trusted Christians who you can share and pray with, and turn to in times of trouble and times of joy. As we share with others with the desire to live for Christ, his light works through to transform us, and bring us more completely into the image of Christ, being fully who you were made to be in Him.

Jesus wants to teach us his ways that are not of this world, but which turn the world upside down and right side up, so that we see things as they really are, and can offer others more of his fullness of life which we are increasingly living!

Hunger & Healing

"If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'you would not have condemned the innocent." -Matthew 12:7
ChristLife's latest podcast is dedicated to the healing power of Jesus in our lives when we hunger after Him, not because of anything in us, but because of His great love and mercy. Pete and ChristLife's director, Dave, discuss the awesome healing works of the Lord. Dave shares stories from Lakeland, Florida and the healing revival going on there. Also, Laura, a friend of ChristLife, shares her testimony of her hunger for the Lord and His healing power in her life! Listen in here, or press play below:

ACT

A ran across a very cool Christian ministry today called the Association of Christian Therapists- with the subtitle- the healing presence of Jesus in healthcare: mind, body, spirit

Intriguing... From their Web site-

Members are committed to Jesus Christ and are open to integrating his healing ministry and the gifts of the Holy Spirit into their lives and work. The Association has strong Catholic and Christian healing roots and invites and encourages members of all Christian denominations to join in its mission.

Good stuff! And they have a lot on their Web site. A journal on Christian healing, links, regional groups, etc.

AND

They are hosting a retreat this weekend at a hotel at BWI airport focused on healing. Fr. Richard McAlear, a priest who travels internationally and who is known for his healing ministry, is the main speaker and celebrant.

As part of the retreat (and open to others) is a healing mass around 7:30pm on Saturday night, June 7. More info about all of this can be found on Fr. McAlear's schedule.

So, what ACT does, is very impressive. So often I don't see the medical field integrated with healing - and vice versa. The integration achieved in the mission of ACT is impressive.

Finally, their final statement of purpose is very relevant to ChristLife's evangelization ministry-

Witness: To train and equip members in outreach and evangelization; To liaise, network and collaborate with individuals and organizations with similar and complementary visions and missions; To initiate, encourage and support scientific research dedicated to testing and demonstrating the holistic benefits of Christ-centered healing methods and techniques, and; To creatively impact the field of integrative medicine with Christian spirituality.

This type of association is akin to what the Pope has been referring to as a "movement" in the Church. A reality many Catholics are unaware of. But, increasingly the Church is calling structures in the hierarchy of the Church to be open to movements.

On May 18, 2008 Pope Benedict addressed the hierarchy of the Church regarding the movements-

“Go out to meet with much love the movements and new communities; let us make an effort to know their reality adequately, without superficial impressions or reductive judgments.

"It also helps us to understand that the ecclesial movements and new communities are not a problem or an extra risk that further weighs on our grave duties.

“No! They are a gift of the Lord, a precious resource to enrich our whole Christian community with their charisms. Thus, a confident welcome that gives space to and values their contributions in the life of the local Churches must not be lacking.”

Yeah buddy... But certainly a challenge which calls for prayer-

Lord Jesus please help your body in the United States to work together - clergy and laity, black and white, english and spanish speakers, charismatic and traditional, conservative and liberal, catholic and non-catholic - to build your kingdom - to hasten the coming of your kingship! Come Lord Jesus heal our divisiveness and wounded hearts! Come Holy Spirit, make us one!