“If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” (Romans 6:8)
St. Paul writes about a truth that lies at the very heart of our faith—we have died in Christ. This reality, though seemingly paradoxical, holds the key to our redemption and the hope of eternal life. Through the sacrament of baptism, we were mystically united with Christ in His death and resurrection. As the water flowed over us, we were cleansed of sin and reborn into the family of God. This moment marked not just a symbolic transformation but a very deep spiritual reality—we were buried with Christ so that we might rise with Him. To die in Christ means to surrender our old selves—marked by selfishness, pride, and attachment to worldly things—and to be conformed to Him in all things. It is to lay down our will and embrace the will of the Father, just as Christ did in Gethsemane. It is to crucify our passions and sinful tendencies, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew us, so that we may live not for ourselves, but for Christ who dwells within us.
This dying is not a one-time event but an ongoing process in the Christian life. St. Paul says, “I die every day!” (1 Corinthians 15:31), showing us that the Christian life is a continuous turning away from sin and a turning toward God. Each day presents opportunities to die to our own desires and to embrace the life of Christ within us. This dying happens in the small acts of charity we show to others, in our willingness to forgive, in our patience during trials, and in our faithfulness to prayer.
To die in Christ is to embrace the Cross. Suffering is an inevitable part of life, yet for those who are united with Christ, suffering is not meaningless. When we unite our sufferings with the Passion of Christ, they take on redemptive power. “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” (Colossians 1:24). This does not mean that Christ’s sacrifice was insufficient—rather, it means that we are invited to participate in His redemptive work. Every pain, every hardship, every loss becomes a means by which we draw nearer to Him and intercede for the salvation of souls.
The martyrs of the Church give us the ultimate example of what it means to die in Christ. They did not cling to their earthly lives, but joyfully gave them up for the sake of the Kingdom. Whether in the coliseums of ancient Rome or in the quiet sacrifices of daily life, all Christians are called to witness to the power of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Dying in Christ is not simply about suffering; it is also about hope. “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5) The Christian life does not end in death—it is a passage to eternal life. Just as Christ’s tomb was not the end but the gateway to glory, so too is our dying in Christ the path to true and everlasting life. Our present sufferings are but a preparation for the glory that is to come, and every cross we bear brings us closer to the joy of the resurrection.
As we continue our journey of the one true faith, let us embrace this calling to die in Christ daily. Let us surrender our fears, our sins, and our selfishness, knowing that in doing so, we make room for His divine life to dwell within us. Let us take up our crosses with love, uniting them to His perfect sacrifice. And let us trust in the promise of His resurrection, knowing that if we die with Him, we shall also live with Him, now and for all eternity.
May God bless you +
Fr. Charles
2 July 2023
