Living in isolation here at the hermitage, away from the chaos and daily troubles of the world, gives me a unique perspective on this passage from Galatians 5:24: “They that are of Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.” In fact, this perspective would probably be shared by most solitaries or hermits. In this quiet life, I’ve come to understand what it truly means to crucify the flesh and live according to God’s commandments, in the love of Christ.
When we think of the “flesh,” we might think of the more obvious sins—lust, greed, envy, and anger—but it goes much deeper than that. The flesh represents the pull of worldly desires, the temptation to focus on ourselves instead of God, to seek comfort and pleasure instead of holiness. Here, in the silence of my surroundings, I’ve come to see that crucifying the flesh means more than just avoiding sin. It means taming the constant push of selfishness that lives in each of us, replacing it with a life dedicated to God’s will. Out here, there are no distractions from the modern world. No noise, no flashing lights, no busyness. And yet, the battle with the flesh continues. In the stillness, I can hear the temptations that are drowned out by the world’s distractions—meaning that when we are caught up in the busyness, noise, and distractions of the world, we’re not likely to notice certain temptations or sinful desires. These distractions can mask or suppress the inner struggles we face, making it harder to recognize them. However, in the solitude and quietness of the hermitage, where there are no such distractions, these temptations become more apparent and easier to recognize. In stillness, I can hear and face those inner temptations that might otherwise go unnoticed in a chaotic, fast-paced environment. The desire for comfort, the longing for recognition, even the subtle temptation to think I’ve “earned” holiness through my lifestyle—all of these can creep in. That’s why St. Paul the Apostle’s words are a constant reminder that being of Christ means dying to those desires, nailing them to the Cross just as He did. Continue reading