Our human and Christian life is all grace. No one is worthy of God’s call, but he calls, he prepares and perfects them to be worthy of his mission for them. Truly, as priests or pastors, pastoral agents or Christians, we were never called by God because we are perfect beings.
The beauty of life is that we can practice generosity in poverty. That is, we give and share out of the little we have in life. We cannot wait until we have an abundance before we can share it with others. One thing is certain about sharing generously with others out of our limited sources the God of providence never lets us lack anything. He replenished all our giving with abundant blessings, favours and graces.
The sufficient grace of God is at work in our human and Christian lives amidst our human weaknesses and inadequacies. Hence, the Christian life is a life of grace or strength in weakness through God´s grace and mercy. This strength in weakness is the beauty and mystery of our lives in God. For Paul, it is clear without doubt or reservation that the Christian faith and life are all grace.
God from all intent and purpose wants us to have life and abundance; he is the giver of life, not death. This mystery of God´s generosity in life to us is difficult to understand, especially in a world with too many miseries.
Human sufferings, miseries, death, and evil are not God´s making or doing. It came because of Satan and the evil ones as well as the choices we make in life. The culture of death around us today is all man´s making.
In life, there will always be storms, however, with Christ, there is peace, calm, and tranquillity amidst storms. All we have to do is to be still and know that the Lord is in control. Indeed, in our lives journey, there will be powerful storms, that shake us to the foundation of our being. These storms do not only affect us but also everything and everyone around us is constantly shaken by the storms of life. Yet, we need to relax because God is in control.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter usually known as the Good Shepherd Sunday reminds us that, Christ is our gateway to life and salvation. On this day, we are encouraged by the Church to reflect on the meaning of the Resurrection. That is, we celebrate the Risen Christ as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
Alleluia! Defeat has been turned to Victory. Alleluia! Alleluia! The victim is now the Victor. Alleluia! Alleluia! Good has overcome evil. Alleluia! Alleluia! Life has been restored over death. Alleluia! Alleluia! Love has conquered hatred. Alleluia Alleluia! Light has dispelled the darkness! Alleluia! Alleluia. Virtuousness has replaced viciousness and sins. Alleluia! Alleluia! Forgiveness has been written over condemnation. Alleluia!
In life, someone argues, there is meaning in dying in loving services for others. True life’s meaning is found when we live for others. This is because there is an absurdity that comes with life. When this sense of absurdness engulfs us with a sense of uncertainty and insecurity life becomes meaningless. In a moment like this, we can only find fulfillment and a sense of meaningfulness in the service of others through God.
Life is a vocation and it is one which God calls us by name! Our vocation is to know God, love Him, and serve Him in our fellow brothers and sisters. Every state of our life is a calling from God. We are called to life when we were born. We do not exist by accident. We were also called to the Christian life in Christ Jesus when we were baptized. We have specific vocations to marital life, consecrated life, or to live life in singlehood. Whatever our state or calling, living fully within God´s plan for us is a vocation. A life, God intended for us to know, to love, and to serve Him in others.
Our crosses of life in Christ Jesus are indispensable and they are the only way to eternal life. Life is sweet when you live in blissfulness! Yet, the Christian is not a peaceful life without difficulties. The crosses of life are part and parcel of daily living in Christ Jesus.