Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:12-13)

What is more important to you, what's happening today or what will happen with you after you die? Maybe both of these concerns are equally crucial. It however seems that we have an equal if not greater deal of responsibility for our mortal lives. Thus, why do so we often actively ponder what will happen to us in the days to come or after our mortal life ends. What prompts us to concern ourselves with heaven and hell?

It's my experience that people tend to focus on their "eternal" life when an unexpected setback occurs, when they've received a dire physical diagnosis, or when someone they love has died. Such times do stir up anxiety or hope for God's Grace when we're suffering or grieving. We understandably yearn for reassurance that our souls will not perish.  Our faith and hope in our baptism and Christ's resurrection is the substance of our trust in God's providence, especially during times of crisis. Nonetheless the status of one's everlasting salvation is paramount to many Christians. Focusing on that matter at the expense of losing sight on where God is most active today doesn't necessarily make sense. Perhaps we need a deeper understanding of what "eternal life" means to us even as figure out how the Holy Spirit is encouraging us to live our Christian life abundantly on this gorgeous day in Cincinnati.

Professor Audrey West invites her readers to think about eternal life on these terms:

Eternal life is the strongest evidence for God's testimony, and it is manifested among them in ways they have already experienced.

 

Both the Gospel of John and 1 John understand eternal life to be a present reality as well as future promise for those who believe (faithfully abide) in Jesus Christ.  "Life" has to do with a quality of existence that death cannot destroy.  That is, it is "eternal," not in the sense of lasting forever, but in its quality, in its manifestation in the here and now.

She adds that Christians "know" that they have eternal life when they demonstrate their love for one another, sacrifice their own desires/aspirations for the benefit of someone else's benefit, and abide by Jesus' commandments top believe in him as the Son of God and abide with one another in desperate, ordinary, and joyous times alike. (West, 2012).

I often remind myself that I need to focus attention on those matters that I have some degree of control over while handing over to God and the authority of others the matters that I have little to any control over on my  level. It's a daily struggle to be certain.  I'm confident though that God will be just, compassionate, and true in the days to come as well as on that fateful day at heaven's door. Until then, eternal life is something to pursue with others who share this life with us and love Jesus' Gospel.

 Blessings Along The Way, Jim+

  Summer is fast approaching and we'll be scaling back to just one service on Sundays in a few weeks.

We're going to try something on for a few Saturdays just to see how it goes. The programs will be called "Saturday Nights at The St. James - Westwood." The first one will happen on May 26th @ 5 PM. The worship will  be based upon our Prayer Book's "Order of Worship for the Evening." However, we're going to use The Message for scriptural readings. Our special musical guests will be the St. Andrews Episcopal Church Gospel Choir. This is a special way for us to celebrate Pentecost as well as Summer's arrival. Join us and invite a friend. Take home a yard sign too! 

Chris Gentry is gearing up to participate in "Ride Cincinnati for Breast Cancer Research." The event is on Sunday, June 10th. Contact  Chris or speak with him at church to support his worthwhile efforts.

Chris isn't the only bicyclist @ St. James and Ride Cincinnati isn't the only charitable bicycle ride going on this summer. There's a ride supporting diocesan youth activities sometime in August. Let Fr. Jim, John Murray, or Chris know if you'd like to get together for some bicycling this summer.

The love of Christ has bound us together. (Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor).

Enjoy this wonderful video of  Maurice Durufle's Ubi Caritas.