4 January 2016 - test every spiritualism

[ Today's Readings ]

This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh

This is actually an ever better test than it first appears. Sure, the incarnation is dogma, so if a spirit denies it then it is not a spirit which belongs to God. But the incarnation is such a good dogma to use for this purpose. There is a tendency in us toward a sort of spiritual escapism that downplays the material world. On the one hand it doesn't acknowledge our responsibilities in the world, in particular to the corporeal works of mercy. On the other hand, it downplays the significance of sins of the flesh. It focuses more on how we feel than what we actually choose and how we actually act. Here is the antidote. Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Because of this we are not permitted to ignore the material world of creation. 

He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people. 

Jesus does not sit on high mountains meditating in spiritual isolation. Every spirit which tempts us to do so is the spirit of the antichrist. His prayer and communion with the Father on mountaintops fuels his engagement with the world.

In Jesus we see a great light precisely because he manifests himself to the world.

the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,

In Jesus we see the Father precisely because he has come in the flesh. Jesus tells us, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (cf. John 14:9). When people see us they should see Jesus at work within us. This does not come from a spiritualism that flees the world.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (cf. John 13:34-35).

Jesus is strong enough that he doesn't have to flee the consequences of the fall. He redeems not just our souls but also our bodies and indeed the entire world. We know that "creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God" (cf. Romans 8:21). It is all his inheritance.

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.”