Reflection on Rom 6:4

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death,

In this verse, the word of life emphasizes the word “buried”. When someone is buried, it means that it was preceded by an absolute death. So if we are united to Christ’s death by faith at the present moment, sin in us, our old self, i.e. the source of evil, is dead, inactive. And right here the second mystery reveals itself to us concerning baptism – a new life begins to work in us. It is not the life of angels or something like our past life but it is the life of God, the life of Jesus Christ in us! Through faith and unity with Christ’s death, we allow God, Jesus Christ, to live in us. And this is our greatest dignity! Moreover, we thus make the most of our time in this earthly life because we can do works worthy of eternity. Neither moth nor rust will destroy them, and thieves will not steal them from us. If we live in unity with Jesus, we allow Him to promote the will of God in us as we pray in the Our Father: Your will be done on earth – in my soul – as it is in heaven. We thus carry out mission for the salvation of souls. Our life will become fruitful, and one day we will receive the crown of glory because we have received Christ, remained faithful to Him and lived the mystery of baptism. That means – we entered into Christ’s death again and again, dying to our own will and evil thoughts, feelings or lies, and walked in the truth, in newness of life, allowing Jesus to live in us. The whole mystery of Christianity is contained in one word: TOGETHER. In other words, You and I, Jesus and I together, together in suffering, in death, in resurrection and finally in the glory of heaven. Together – You and I. Now and here.

We put it into practice especially in interior prayer and then also in little self-denials during the day when out of love for Jesus we deny our curiosity, give up a pleasure, accept humiliation or forgive someone. All these acts are of great significance because we thus put into practice Christ’s death as well as His new life in us. This is something concrete. This is nothing abstract. Ukraine needs missionaries. Ukraine needs holy people in the first place. Each of us must be holy. Holiness must begin from me rather than from others. It depends on my personal relationship to Jesus, my unity with Him, my love for Him. What did Jesus do for me? How much He suffered! And what about me? What do I do for Jesus?

Lord, fill me with pure love, that I may live for You, die for You, and be with You for all eternity!

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