this is your life
"A man came up to (Jesus) and said, 'Teacher, what good must I do to possess everlasting life?' " —Matthew 19:16
At first, we think the Christian life is about doing good. However, even atheists do good. There is much more to the Christian life than doing good.
Then, we may realize that life in Christ is a life of obedience (Mt 19:17; 1 Pt 1:2). If we love Christ, we will obey Him (Jn 15:10). Thus, obedience is essential to the Christian life, but there's still much more to Christianity.
Jesus told the young, rich man: "Go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor. You will then have treasure in heaven. Afterward, come back and follow Me" (Mt 19:21). Life in Christ is not only good works but God's works — not only obedience but total obedience. Life in Christ is not just following our Christian consciences, principles, and values. It is following the Person of Jesus Christ (see Mt 19:21) to the point that we are crucified with Him (Gal 2:19). Then the life we live is not our own; Christ is living in us (Gal 2:20). We still live our human lives, but they are lives of faith in Jesus, the Son of God (Gal 2:20). To us, " 'life' means Christ" (Phil 1:21).
The Christian life means losing our lives (Lk 9:24), living Jesus' life, living for Him alone, and living in Him and He in us (Jn 6:56).
Prayer: Jesus, You are my Life (see Jn 14:6).
Promise: "You will then have treasure in heaven." —Mt 19:21
Praise: John Eudes realized that his fellow priests needed reform even more than did their flocks. He sometimes failed in this endeavor, due to a shortage of prudence and tact and an excess of zeal, but he succeeded in founding two seminaries and instituting the Feast of the Sacred Heart to spread devotion to Jesus.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, January 29, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 5, 1996