ACC ~ Luke 1 v80

HOW JOHN BECAME STRONG IN THE SPIRIT

ORIGEN: John, while still a little boy, grew and became stronger. But it is exceedingly difficult, and very rare among mortals, for one who is still a little child to grow in spirit. “But the boy grew and was strengthened in spirit.” It is one thing to “grow,” another to “be strengthened.” Human nature is weak. It needs divine help to become stronger. We read, “The flesh is weak.” What forces can strengthen it? The Spirit, of course, “for the spirit is quick to respond, but the flesh is weak.” Someone who wants to become stronger should be strengthened only in spirit. Many are strengthened in the flesh, and their bodies become more powerful, but an athlete of God should become more powerful in spirit. Thus strengthened, he will crush the wisdom of the flesh. Spiritual activity will subject the body to the soul’s command. We should not think that, when Scripture says, “he grew and was strengthened in spirit,” what was written about John was just a narrative that does not pertain to us in any way. It is written for our imitation. We should take “growth” in the sense we have explained and be multiplied spiritually. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 11.3. [1]

[1] FC 94:45*.