Whoever keeps my word will never see death (John 8:51). How can that be? We know that our bodies can’t last forever we’ve experienced the death of friends and loved ones and we know each of us will experience death as well.
- St. Paul hints that we have already died. “We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead…, we too might live in newness of life” (Roman’s 6:4).
- On the day of our baptism, we were brought to share in Christ’s dying and all he accomplished through his death.
- We died in those waters, and we rose possessing God’s own life, a life that can never die. United to Christ, we are given the grace to “keep his word” (John 8:51) and carry that word with us into heaven. Death
is not our final destiny!
Understanding this priceless gift of everlasting life affects the way we look at death. Nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Roman’s 8:38).
- We are not alone! Jesus remains close to us in our triumphs and exhilaration as well as in our sickness, suffering, rejection, frustration, and confusion.
- We belong to a community of faith that is awakened to life in the kingdom of love.
- We are provided clear direction to prioritize what matters most in the long run: love of God and love of neighbor. Will you be taking what you currently invest your energy in into the heavenly kingdom?
Blessed from the day of our baptism, we have his everlasting life with us. Stay close to him, treasure his love and his word, and let them give you hope beyond the grave.
Re-source: Rediscover
to discover (something lost or forgotten) again
Unless we check in with ourself each day, we will eventually betray ourself in small ways and large. But when we keep this appointment, we emerge with a clear and firm sense of self.
- This sense of self, knowing who we are and what we are her for, is more precious than gold.
- The quality of all our relationships is determined by the quality of our relationship with ourselves.
Hear the urgent call to remake and rebuild the inner life. It is the summons of our soul to pay attention before it wilts and dies.
- In running from God, we run from ourselves. Alienation from God is alienation from self. Only in Union with God do we discover and become our truest self.
“Every man dies, but not every man really lives,” was William Wallace’s observation.
- Nobody fears death more than those who have not lived. Nobody fears death more than those who have not discovered who they are and offered that gift to the world.
- Death is inevitable, but a well-lived life is not.
craving from “The WORD Among Us” – Daily Meditations
resource from “Life is Messy” by Matthew Kelly
