“…Jesus used the metaphors of a ‘grain of wheat’ or a ‘branch cut off from a vine’ for [our] arrogant ego[s]; Paul used the unfortunate word ‘flesh’, which made most think he was talking about the body. So some Bible translations now call it “self-indulgence” which is much closer to the meaning. But both Jesus and Paul were pointing to the isolated and protected small self. And they both said it has to go: “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it will yield a rich harvest (Jn 12:24). For Paul, the ‘flesh’ or ego cannot get you where you want to go (Gal. 5:19). Its concerns are too small and too selfish.
An ego response is always an inadequate or even wrong response to the moment. It will not deepen or broaden life, love, or inner laughter. Your ego self is always attached to mere externals, since it has no inner substance itself. The ego defines itself by its attachments and [exclusions]…”
Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water, p.5.
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