Putting on the New Self

Put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth. // Ephesians 4:22-24

I was rummaging through some family photo albums, looking for a picture I vaguely remembered. I got lost in the memories of my old self: my childhood, teenage years, college experience, young professional life, vocational discernment, and adulthood. My life has zigged and zagged in surprising ways.

The photographs contained versions of my old self. I noticed similarities and differences compared to who I am today. I remembered my strengths and weaknesses as I looked at the snapshots. The girl in the pictures is me, but she has a lot ahead of her: joys, sufferings, moves, celebrations, learning, travel, jobs, holidays, success, failures, and growth.

In today’s First Reading, Saint Paul calls us to “put on the new self” (see Ephesians 4:17, 20-24). At my Baptism, my parents clothed me in white, symbolizing how I “put on Christ.” As the priest baptized me with water, the Holy Spirit purified, justified, and sanctified me (source). I became a beloved daughter of the Father. With each passing year, the Holy Spirit is continually calling me to deeper conversion and authentic renewal. This is not something I have to do on my own—the Holy Spirit is leading me along this path to holiness. The Holy Spirit purifies my desires and renews my mind. 

If I live for several more decades, how will I look back on who I am today? Today will become a memory.  Today will be my former way of life. As I gaze into the future, there is a lot ahead of me: joys, sufferings, moves, celebrations, learning, travel, jobs, holidays, success, failures, and growth. How will the Holy Spirit renew me?

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful 

and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created,
and You shall renew the face of the earth.