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Contemplate Eternal Life

In today’s Gospel, we heard the account of two different miracles; first, the miracle of the healing of the daughter who was possessed by a demon, and second, the miracle of the faith of the mother of this girl. I would like to speak mainly about the second miracle, where Jesus saves the Canaanite woman’s daughter from possession by the devil and the grips of death. Death comes to each person, whether great or unimportant, known or unknown. We will one day pass from this world into the next.

I do not think that Jesus needed to perform this miracle in order to solve the problem of death. Rather, I believe that he performed this miracle of raising the little girl from being possessed by devil so that we might believe in Him and have faith.

While the media tells us much about the deaths of people, and focuses on the details surrounding their deaths, perhaps now is a good time to think more deeply about this mystery. Perhaps now is a good time to remember that death is not the end of life. Instead, it is only a phase—a passage from this life into the next. And perhaps now is also a very good time to ask ourselves: “What do I think about death? What is my attitude toward death? Do I, as a Catholic, believe that Jesus died and resurrected so that I might have eternal life?”

If we truly have faith, invite Jesus into our lives, and live according to His teachings, then there we might meet with Him in Heaven. Do you have faith, my brothers and sisters? Do you truly believe?

I would like to invite you to take some time during this weekend to spend time in silence and to contemplate the gift of eternal life.

Eternal life is truly the greatest miracle—the greatest gift from God.

And God makes it possible for us to receive this gift through Jesus Christ. Each day, God invites us to participate in eternal life, but do we follow Him? Do we respond to the call?

Yours in Christ,
Father Arthur

Readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Lectionary 118