Life Everlasting

(Plain Text Version)

God has always existed.  He has no beginning and no end.  By God’s plan, each angel and each human being has a beginning but no end.  We call this gift everlasting life or eternal life.  It is God’s will that we will spend this everlasting life in perfect happiness with Him. 

Everlasting Life begins at Baptism

We begin our eternal life with God while we are still alive on earth.  At our baptism, we are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus.  We then begin to live the life of Jesus.  We already “have one foot in Heaven.”  At Mass and when we take time out to pray, we should remember that Heaven has already begun, and that our problems are temporary.

Life in Heaven

Heaven can be called a way of living or a set of wonderful relationships and experiences.  By far, the greatest joy of Heaven is our direct, personal vision of God.  On earth we believe in God, but in Heaven we will see Him.  To “see God” means that His power will come into us and make us like Him (see 1 John 3:2). 

The Choice is Ours

Hell is the life of those who do not believe in God or do not obey Him.  Hell is called “everlasting death” because people will wish for death and not be able to die.  Let us take this warning seriously, but without any anxiety.  God wants us to be with Him and gives us all the help we will need to get to Heaven.    

The Holy Father Visits Africa

Pope Francis has just completed a visit to two very troubled countries: South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  These two countries are seldom mentioned in the Western news media, but God has not forgotten the suffering of these people.

In this little space, I will simply list the kinds of things happening in these two countries: war, deadly attacks on civilians, rape, tribalism and genocide, child labor, corruption.  These horrors have been happening for many years.

Pope Francis spoke to religious and civil leaders, and listened to survivors as they recounted what happened to them.  He encouraged everyone to choose to live together, to renounce hatred and violence, and to become missionaries of peace.  He pointed to Jesus, who suffered for us, and brings peace.

Let each of us say a short prayer for our suffering brothers and sisters in Africa.

#StJohnBoscoNews