As we meditate on the readings from Galatians 5:16-24 and Matthew 6:24-33, prescribed for the Feria II after the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, we are drawn into a profound understanding of the Christian life—one that demands the mortification of the flesh and the singular pursuit of God. These passages, when considered together, invite us to reflect on the interior struggle between the desires of the flesh and the call to live by the Spirit, and to reaffirm our total dependence on Divine Providence.
The War Within: Galatians 5:16-24
In his epistle to the Galatians, St. Paul speaks candidly about the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). This verse sets the stage for a life of spiritual vigilance, where the Christian is called to a continual turning away from the works of the flesh—“adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness”—and towards the fruit of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal 5:19-23).
The great St. Augustine, in his commentary on this passage, reminds us that this internal struggle is not merely a psychological battle but a spiritual one, rooted in the fall of man. Augustine teaches that “the flesh” represents our fallen nature, which inclines us to sin, while “the Spirit” is the principle of new life in Christ, given to us through the Holy Spirit. This conflict is a necessary part of the Christian journey, as the flesh must be subdued for the Spirit to thrive within us. Augustine explains that “by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, the love of righteousness is poured out in our hearts, so that we might conquer the sinful desires of the flesh” (Augustine, On Nature and Grace).
St. John Chrysostom, another pillar of the early Church, emphasizes that this struggle requires active participation on our part. He asserts that while the Holy Spirit strengthens us, we must cooperate with divine grace by practicing virtue and resisting temptation. “Do not say, ‘I am unable to change,’ for God has given us the means to subdue the flesh. The Spirit helps us in our weakness, but we must not be idle” (Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians).
Seeking First the Kingdom: Matthew 6:24-33
In the Gospel passage from Matthew, Christ confronts us with a stark choice: “No man can serve two masters” (Matt 6:24). He calls us to a radical detachment from worldly anxieties and a total trust in Divine Providence. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33).
Here, the words of St. Jerome illuminate our understanding. Jerome warns against the duplicity of heart that comes from attempting to serve both God and mammon. He exhorts the faithful to trust wholly in God’s providential care, noting that anxiety over worldly matters distracts us from the true aim of life, which is union with God. “He who is worried about his daily needs is like the pagan who has no faith in God’s care. But the Christian knows that God, who provides for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, will surely provide for him” (Jerome, Commentary on Matthew).
St. Augustine adds depth to this teaching by pointing out that seeking the kingdom of God means prioritizing our spiritual well-being over material concerns. In doing so, we not only place our trust in God but also align our lives with His will. “The Lord does not command us to be careless, but rather to put our care in the right place—seeking first the spiritual goods, and then leaving the rest to His fatherly care” (Augustine, Sermon on the Mount).
Integrating the Teachings
As we reflect on these readings within the liturgical context of Feria II after the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, we see that both St. Paul and Christ Himself call us to a life marked by an uncompromising commitment to God. The works of the flesh, as described by Paul, stand in direct opposition to the total reliance on God that Christ demands. To live by the Spirit, then, is to renounce the sins of the flesh and to seek first the kingdom of God in every aspect of our lives.
This call is especially poignant in the traditional liturgical calendar, where the post-Pentecostal Sundays invite us to deepen our spiritual life by growing in virtue and detachment from worldly things. The recurring theme is one of preparation—preparing our souls for the final judgment by living in accordance with God’s will here and now.
In practical terms, this means making deliberate choices each day to foster the fruits of the Spirit in our lives, while entrusting our material needs to God’s providence. It means resisting the temptation to split our loyalties between God and the world, remembering that our true citizenship is in heaven.
As we move forward in this liturgical season, may we heed the wisdom of the Church Fathers, striving to walk by the Spirit, seek the kingdom of God, and trust wholly in His providential care. Let us remember that the path of righteousness is not without its struggles, but with the help of God’s grace, we can overcome the flesh and live in the freedom of the Spirit.
Conclusion
The readings of Galatians 5:16-24 and Matthew 6:24-33 offer a blueprint for the Christian life—a life of Spirit-led righteousness, free from the bondage of sin, and wholly dependent on God’s providence. As we contemplate these truths, may we be inspired to deepen our commitment to living out these teachings, not just in word, but in every action, striving always to put God first in our lives. Through the intercession of the saints and the guidance of the Church Fathers, let us walk in the Spirit, bearing the fruits that lead to eternal life.