We all have a way we want to be, a life we want to experience....
Maybe we've come far enough to let go of career or relationship expectations, etc. All we want to do is to "be happy."
Yet, from my experience that is the most evasive thing of all. To truly "be" in the moment and experience it with others. To truly love yourself, God, and others, and be at peace. This is the hardest thing.
I think this elusive "in-the-moment-ness" is the "eternal life" of which the scriptures speak. As we know, eternal life refers not only to duration, but quality.
Like God and the beatific vision, "eternal life" is indescribable and we can only speak of it analogously. It's like spending time with someone you love, who also loves you. It's the excitement of learning something new, of going on an adventure. It's the feeling of sunshine. It's a quality of living that is deeply connected.
We try to describe it, yet no one analogy can ever capture it all. Through a collage of analogies we get closer. Though, ultimately, "eternal life" is something we experience and can not fully describe because God is infinite and our language is limited.
The way to eternal life is not snapping into a happy attitude. It isn't PMA. Too often, that' what we think it is. Then, we berate ourselves for not being "positive" and "thankful" enough. Or we think that if we could just be "more organized," or if a particular circumstance would change, then we'd experience it. Yet, it is impossible to "organize," "think," our "emote" our way to eternal life. Ultimately, eternal life is a quality of life that can only be received. It is not natural, it is supernatural. Only God can give it. Thankfully, He wants to, and does!
It is, in fact, sanctifying grace.
We only get it one way: through baptism. Ordinarily, a water baptism.
If you were not born Catholic, as I was not, how many spiritual (and life) miles did you have to traverse before darkening the door of a Catholic church?
How many disappointments did you weather? What betrayals convicted you of the reality of sin and the frailty of human beings? How many times did you have to fail before you saw your own sinfulness and ignorance? How many avenues scientific, economic, artistic, social did you traverse before suspecting that your hearts desire was not of this world?
It's not easy accepting the truth about ourselves: we are sinners in desperate need of grace.
Yet, receiving the healing and joy we long for is conditioned upon our approaching God on His terms.
He wants to restore His relationship with us, first. Healing second.
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