Renewal of Life in Christ
My God, how much evil have I done in all my works, and how much good have I impeded, especially … in my public and private instructions! … Yet my … pride and vanity made me believe [that] I was doing … better than others … Ah my God, destroy my past, present and future life, and give me … the life of your only Begotten Son; this I offer you in place of mine. (OOCC, X, pp. 190 - 191; STA, 272)
The constant renewal of one’s life in Christ is an essential element of Christian life. The life of a Christian without true renewal is similar to an undusted and dirty room. The three important aspects of Christian renewal consist of one looking back at his life, discovering areas where he needs to grow, and taking the necessary steps to effect the required changes in his life. St. Vincent Pallotti, following a path of perfection in which the ideal was the perfection of the heavenly Father, made a consistent effort to renew his spiritual life. In his reflections, he examined himself so as to become aware of not only the evil he had done, but also the good he had failed to do in his public and private actions. Besides acknowledging his failures of commission and omission, he also identified the many times he believed with pride and vanity that he was doing better than others. Having accepted his limitations and shortcomings, he attempted to destroy them from his life and have within himself the life of Jesus, thereby offering the pure life of Jesus to the Father in place of his tainted and sinful life. Such renewal of life on a regular interval marked the spiritual life of St. Vincent Pallotti.
Is my Christian life characterized by genuine renewal undertaken on a regular basis? Do I periodically review my life? Do I discover the areas in my life in which I need to grow? Do I take the necessary steps to change my life? What are some of the concrete steps I need to take in order to bring about genuine change in my life?
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly … Put on the new self, which is being renewed … Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to the Father through him. (Col. 3: 5, 8,17)