When God gave us life, He didn't give us an elixir, a potion, a pill, guaranteed health, a fountain of youth, or an unlimited supply of money to provide life. Instead, He gave us Jesus. God sent Jesus the Life into the world, and "this Life became visible" (1 Jn 1:2).

Jesus is "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25). He is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). He is the "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35) and "the Word of Life" (1 Jn 1:1). To us, " 'life' means Christ" (Phil 1:21). Jesus, the Life, testifies: "I came that they might have life and have it to the full" (Jn 10:10). When you believe that Jesus is God, you "have life in His name" (Jn 20:31; see also Jn 3:15-16).

Whoever is in Jesus finds life (Jn 1:4). "Whoever possesses the Son possesses life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not possess life. I have written this to you to make you realize that you possess eternal life — you who believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 Jn 5:12-13).

Jesus bluntly states the problem: "You are unwilling to come to Me to possess that life" (Jn 5:40). Many want life, but not from Jesus. We live in a culture of death. We cannot change a culture of death to a civilization of life except through Jesus, Who is Life and Who gives life. Social programs, medical skill, or advanced technology won't give life. Life is only found in Jesus. Scripture says: "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life" (Dt 30:19). Choose Jesus.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 30, 2007

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