The word of eternal life

That’s what Christ clearly said. Of course, these are

words that have to be taken in faith. Otherwise, there is no way we

can take them seriously, especially nowadays when there are just so

many philosophies and ideologies that can sound more attractive and

seductive, especially if they show and give some immediate advantages

and conveniences.

            Let’s hope that we can repeat St. Peter’s words: “Lord, to

whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6,68)

            We have to be wary of our tendency to be seduced by our

worldly cultures and systems. Let’s listen to the warning given by St.

Paul: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and

deceptive philosophy…” (Col 2,8)

            And he continues: “For in Christ all the fullness of the

Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to

fullness.” (2,9) This means that the fullness of our humanity can only

be achieved through our full identification with Christ who also made

it possible for us to attain it.

            How? Again St. Paul provides the answer: “In him (Christ)

you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human

hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were

circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in

which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working

of God, who raised him from the dead.” (2,11-12)

            It would be good if we can meditate slowly on these words

to let them sink in our mind and heart, and in our life in general.

The Good News is that we are already given the key to eternal life

while still here on earth.

            Yes, it’s a matter of faith, because the reality that

governs us is not simply of the rational and spiritual nature, much

less, of our bodily and natural condition. The reality that governs us

is, first of all, of the supernatural character, since whether we like

it or not, God has wanted and created us in his image and likeness,

sharers of his divine nature. (cfr. 2 Pt 1,4)

            That is why in spite of our human limitations, we always

harbor deep in our heart that desire for a life without end, a joy

with no shade of sadness, etc. In other words, we desire a life that

is not simply natural, space-and-time-bound.

            It’s not that our philosophies, ideologies, our cultures

and social, political and economic systems have no role to play in our

life here on earth. They do. In fact, they play a tremendous role.

It’s just that, as St. Paul said, “these are a shadow of the things

that were to come. The reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Col

2,17)

            With our worldly systems, what we have to do is to inspire

them with the true spirit of Christ as best that we can. This would

require of us authentic fidelity to Christ which is not simply a

matter of parroting his words nor aping his behavior, but rather of

deepening what Christ really wants to tell us today by discerning the

promptings of the Holy Spirit who intervenes in our life all the time.

            This fidelity means that we have to learn to adapt the

teachings of Christ to the concrete needs of the people, not, of

course, by changing those teachings but rather by applying Christ’s

relevant teachings to the situation on hand.

            Let’s remember that the word of Christ is eternal. It

defies time and space. It defies change and death. It is applicable to

all human conditions. It is always relevant and useful. As St. Paul

said:

            “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for

instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in

righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete for every good

work…” (2 Tim 3,16-17)