Friday, May 29, 2009

"Before, Now, and After"

Christianity is not alone in proposing answers to the mystery of our existence. Many philosophers and religious teachers have addressed questions about the source, meaning, and destiny of human existence.

What is unique about the teachings of Christianity is our claim that in the death and resurrection of one man--the Son of God--the veil has been lifted from our future destiny. For those who put away the weight of deadness (sin), and put on the life-giving Spirit of Christ, death is no longer a fearful enemy. By faith, we can joyfully embrace the short span of our present existence as kind of a small harbor open to the mysterious depths beyond.

For many in today's world, the Christian answers--perhaps worn smooth by too much casual handling--have lost their power to surprise and enlighten. For a culture and generations accustomed to media, internet, video games, and the flashing pace of music videos, the notion of eternal life--or eternal anything, for that matter--may sound unrealistic or even boring.

But there are people in our world today who have perhaps explored various philosophies and religious paths, and are now prepared to listen anew to the wisdom of Christianity. The benefits of Christian faith are made clearly visible to these seekers when they encounter powerfully alive, deeply passionate, genuinely loving saints of Christ who live and work together in peace, joy and love!

The Christian tradition teaches that the source of our existence is God, and God is our ultimate destination. Our task in life--whether it is short or long, heavy with sorrows or light with blessings, or, like most lives, a combination of the two--is to find the path that conveys us toward our true destination.

Material success, fame, or other great personal achievements will not cross with us to the other side. Sometimes we cling to resentments, bitterness, anger, and regrets as though they have some great value or serve us in the quest for our Godly destiny. To carry these weights of deadness with us is hell indeed. The Christian faith calls us to let go and be stripped of all that weakens our capacity to love with a single, pure, authentic heart. It is liberating to let go now and enter into life! If we don't, death will finish the job that we have left incomplete.

Christ followers learn from him that every day should be well lived. Some questions to help us know we are on the path toward our Godly destiny include:

- Did I offer peace today?
- Did I bring a smile to someone's face today?
- Did I share words of healing?
- Did I let go of anger and resentment?
- Did I forgive?
- Did I love?

Christ teaches us that what we sow in love now will bear many fruits, here in this world, and in the life to come.

St. John Vianney wrote: "The eyes of the world see no farther than this life....The eyes of the Christian see deep into eternity."

Let's rejoice in traveling God's life-giving path together!

Duff

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Weekly Inspiration

Jesus began to preach, and the message was one he repeated from the sermons of John the Baptist. He said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

John was in prison, and Jesus made certain that his voice and message did not go unheard.

He began to preach: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Have we begun to hear? Hearing is an art, listening requires that our spirit is attentive. Who do you know that listens well? Few of us do. What happens when we do listen--when our spirit becomes attentive?

We hear the Holy Spirit's beautiful, inspiring, life-giving music!

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

In His renewing, refreshing love,

Duff