God the Father fills the earth with every imaginable species, full of splendor, color, and variety. "The earth is full of [His] creatures" (Ps 104:24). His hand is "filled with good things" (Ps 104:28) with which to fill us (see Ps 81:11, 17).

"It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in" Jesus (Col 1:19). Jesus came to give us life "to the full" (Jn 10:10). This full life involves the "fullness" of God's word (Col 1:25), the "full measure of wisdom" (Col 1:28), His own full energy (Col 1:29; Phil 4:13), and even filling up to fullness our share in His redemptive sufferings (Col 1:24). In the Eucharist, He feeds us, and our every need is filled and fulfilled (see Mt 15:37; Jn 6:35).

Jesus wants us to be "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4). The Spirit gives us "full assurance" (Col 2:2) of the knowledge of God and of the "fullness of joys in [His] presence" (Ps 16:11), so we can be "full of love" (Eph 1:4).

The Catholic Church, like the Lord, is devoted to fullness. We have the fullness of truth. We honor Mary, who is full of grace. We have so much richness and fullness in liturgies, the Sacraments, incense, saints' feast days, statues, processions, etc.

Our God does nothing halfway; He is always working in fullness. God is dying to fill you. In fact, Jesus already died so you could be full (Jn 10:10). Don't settle for a half-life. Empty yourself and let Jesus fill you.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 16, 2006

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