Living sacrifice. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

Romans 12:1-2.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Reflection. It is so easy to go with the flow and to be influenced by society. Think of how easily we fall in step with prevailing media stories. Let me offer an example - who or what caused the long queues at Dover? The French? Actually, mostly it is the result having to have border checks as a result of a vote we took in 2016...

Here, St Paul warns against this: 'do not conform to the pattern if this world.' And then he offers a better way of being so that we can discern God's will. 'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' This a work of the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer. Lord Jesus, help me to be open to the mind renewing work of the Holy Spirit. Amen.