Eternal life. What does it mean to live an Eternal life? What words come to mind? For those of Buddhist tradition, it means living an unending life within the six realms of Samsara, being born and reborn again and never dying. However, for Catholicism, it is a very different notion of eternal life. When we think about the eternal life, the key focus is of being in full unity with Jesus, with God. Most times when we think about ethical questions, they come from the core desire of discovering the purpose of our life, what it takes to find that purpose, and what will come after our life on earth when we die.
Catholicism teaches about the afterlife in the notion of sin and hope. We all sin, but are also hopeful that we will be able to overcome our sin and be happy in this life. If Buddhism teaches that people are reborn when they die, into a new earthly form, what then does Catholicism teach in terms of being reborn? It teaches that through belief in Jesus, through hoping for the better and becoming the best version of ourselves, we become like more and more like God through how we live and act. We see pieces of God through our very bodies on earth, and learn to not only discover a faith-filled life for ourselves, but to help bring others to a life of hope and true unity. This fullness of love and never-ending happiness is being one with God in heaven, achieved by living a life that is Saint-like and kind, fulfilling our purpose by being in communion with others and living by good morals.
Today’s Gospel states:‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the Bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh”’ (John 6:44-51).
Jesus tells us that none can come be with him, be reunited with him unless they believe. They must believe in God, in the bread )which is the Eucharist and it’s meaning in the mass), and open ourselves up to learning and being loved by God in the eternal life of the Church. Let us take time to reflect today on the eternal life God has given us and how we take part in His love each time we receive the Eucharist.
Today’s prayer states: 'Catholic Online' a prayer for eternal life with God:
Heavenly Father,in glorifying Jesusand sending us your Spirit,You open the way to eternal life.May my sharing in this Gift increase my loveand make my faith grow stronger.Send Your Spirit to cleanse my lifeso that the offering of myself to You at Massmay be pleasing to You.May my sharing in the Eucharist,our Bread of Life,bring me eternal life.
