Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Have you ever wanted to do a complete reset? A real fresh start? A chance to let go of old burdens, past mistakes, and labels that have defined you for so long? We all have things from our past that haunt us and habits that are hard to break. We all long for a new beginning.

Each of us carries labels and identity cards that the world has assigned us, and we often spend a lot of time trying to make these labels look good.

This morning, God is offering you a new identity card. In our first reading from Galatians, the apostle Paul addresses a church preoccupied with labels. They were debating who truly was a Christian, believing that adherence to certain religious rules, particularly circumcision, defined that identity. But Paul interrupts them, stating, “The only thing that really matters in God's eyes is the new creation.”

That's right. That is all that matters to God. Your past, your mistakes, and how many boxes you can tick do not matter. What matters is whether God allows you to be made new.

So, how does this happen? It is through the cross of Jesus. The cross is not just about forgiveness; it is a demolition site! At the cross, your old self—the self defined by fear, pride, and failure—dies with Jesus. When Jesus rose from the dead, He proposed to raise you with Him as a brand new person.

It’s like a factory reset for your soul. God does not merely clean up your old life; He gives you a brand new life. Your new ID card will not reflect your accomplishments or failures; it will simply say: "Mine," signed by God.

So, what does a "new creation" look like? Let’s turn to the second reading from Luke's Gospel. Jesus sends out 72 followers—not super apostles, but ordinary people like you and me. Look at how He sends them: “Don’t take your purse, your bag, or your shoes.”

In essence, go empty-handed. Why? Because Jesus wants us to understand that it is His power working through us, not our own.

Their mission is simple: bring peace, heal the sick, and declare, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

And guess what? It worked! They returned excited, running up to Jesus and exclaiming, "Lord, it was amazing! When we used Your name, even the demons listened to us!" They felt powerful and successful; their mission was a hit!

What does Jesus do? He celebrates with them. But then, He offers gentle yet crucial correction: "However… do not rejoice because you have power. Don’t find your joy in your success." Rather, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Do you understand? This is the same message! Paul instructed, “Do not boast of your religious status.” Jesus said, “Do not boast in your spiritual success.” Both emphasize a vital truth: your value is not in what you do. Your joy is not rooted in your performance but in your new identity as a child of God.

And my friends, that is total freedom! That means whether it’s a good day—when you feel like a super apostle, your prayers are fervent, and you’re kind to everyone—or a bad day—when you feel like a failure and can barely pray—God's love for you remains unchanged.

Why? Because your value is not in your resume; it is in your relationship with the Lord. You are a new creation. You belong to God.

So let me ask you again: What label are you wearing today? Is it “failure”? “Insecure”? “Not good enough”? Jesus says, “Tear it down. Throw it away.” Because of the cross of Jesus Christ, God has prepared something new for you. It is written, “A new creation.” You are His beloved child. “Your name is written in heaven.” This is the only label that ever mattered, and it will continue to matter.

Let us pray: Thank You, Jesus, for making us a new creation. Forgive us for trying to earn our worth. Help us cast off the old, false labels and live today with joy in the only thing that truly matters: that we are Yours. Amen. We are yours. Amen.

by Fr. Thomas George