Eternal life is not another life that begins after one has died. It is our love of the Lord, which begins now and which death cannot destroy. Jesus said to Martha just before the calling of Lazarus from the tomb: 'I am the Resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live' (John 11.25). Death has no dominion over us because our life is this relationship with the one who has defeated death.
-Excerpts from the Easter Sunday homily of Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP
Selamat Paskah! Truly eternal life is now here, present even as we speak, it has been won by the resurrection of Christ from death, a victory which became a ransome for all humanity. It is good to know that we don't have to wait for death in order to experience eternal life. Many if not all view this life as a test, an examination of whethere or not we are fit for the future life with Jesus. But what many don't realize is the fact that we don't need to die to experience the Kingdom of God, for this Kingdom is truly upon us. We can make heaven on earth, if only we live honest lives, loving lives which care not only for ourselves but most importantly for others, a live of giving and sharing, of genuine concern and unconditional love. It's is so easy to visualize but so hard to put in practice, specially when we are surrounded by so much selfishness, greed, pride, lust, violence, and indifference. But Jesus showed that a happy life is possible, that such a life can never be destroyed even by death, a life which continues and will last forever.
On a lighter note, just wanted to share how events could play tricks on us, and how the devil can tempt us in the most unexpected ways and in the most innocent people. As a religious brother, we profess the vows of poverty, chastity and obdience, but just when we thought we are already strong to resist temptation, that is the time the devil stricks strongest. Tonight, of all nights, just after the priest prayed for God to watch over us, so that the darkness of sin might be dispelled by Christ's loving light, temptation comes outside the door of the church. I have always been fighting this ever since, and have proven it very effective to pray whenever temptations come. I can not do it by myself, I need God, his inspiration which tell me to be happy but never to find it in sin, to know my limitations and always think of the good of the Church and never my own.
Si Lord talaga, kung kelan masaya at tuwang tuwa ka, dun ka naman nya padadalhan ng tuksong di mo alam kung easter gift nya o trial lang kung kakagat ka. Hehehe kung ano man yon, sa amin na lang ni Lord. Basta Happy Easter sa lahat at sana makamit natin ang masayang buhay ngayon na hindi kayang tapusin o wakasan ng kamatayan. Muli, Selamat Paskah!
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