life-lines
"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again." —Job 7:6-7
Job had formerly been "healthy, wealthy, and wise." After suffering severe tragedies, he came to the conclusion that man's life was drudgery (Jb 7:1), slavery (Jb 7:2), and misery (Jb 7:3). Solomon, the wisest man in the world, thought everything in life was vanity (Eccl 1:2). Jesus also taught that life presented impossible problems (see Mt 19:26). Therefore, to be saved we must lose our lives (Lk 9:24).
The only hope in life is Jesus, Who is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6) and "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25). When our lives mean Christ (Phil 1:21), we are saved from life's dilemmas and we have eternal life (see Jn 17:3).
Every Sunday, we have the weekly, world-wide celebration of risen life in Jesus. Even in the most difficult circumstances of life, we are full of hope, through "the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pt 1:3). Every Sunday is the day of life which imbues every other day and moment of life with a hope which will not leave us disappointed (see Rm 5:5).
Live in hope by living in Christ, our Life. Beginning with Sunday, live every day in Christ.
Prayer: Father, send me the Spirit of life so that I will love people enough to tell them there is hope in Life, that is, in Jesus.
Promise: "I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings." —1 Cor 9:23
Praise: Praise Jesus, our Life, Resurrection, and Hope!
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Hope on audio AV 70-1 or video V-70.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 1, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 7, 2002