Walk by the Spirit
Walk by the Spirit
Father Anthony reflects on Galatians 5:16–25 — St. Paul’s powerful call to walk by the Spirit rather than be ruled by the desires of the flesh, inviting us to recognize the daily struggle between the habits that pull us away from God and the grace that leads us toward holiness; as we surrender our hearts more fully to the Holy Spirit, the Lord begins to transform the way we think, speak, and act, cultivating within us the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and teaching us that true freedom is found not in following every desire, but in belonging to Christ and allowing His Spirit to guide our lives.
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The Gospel presents a man described as “full of leprosy.” Not partially wounded. Not mildly afflicted. Completely sick. And yet this is the man who is healed — because he approaches Jesus correctly.
Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, explains that Scripture reveals three responses to spiritual leprosy. The first is pride: refusing to see one’s own sin while accusing everyone else. This leprosy cannot be healed because it denies the wound. The second is despair: seeing the sin clearly but believing mercy is impossible. This leprosy turns inward and never reaches the Physician.
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120225.cfm
In Proverbs 8, Scripture reveals a tender mystery: before the world began, the Eternal Son “was beside Him… playing before Him at all times.” Before creation, before the angels, Jesus rejoiced in the Father’s presence with the freedom of a child. Fr. Anthony reminds us that this childlike joy is not optional—it is essential to the spiritual life. “Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:3).
Father Anthony reflects on the mystery proclaimed at the opening of the Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word.” He explores how Christ is not only present at creation but is creation’s meaning—the eternal Word through whom all things were made, who enters the world not with force but with humility and love.
