Feast of Pope St John I, Martyr.

"Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ." (John 17: 3).

Tuesday 18th May 2021, in the 7th Week of Eastertide is the feast of Pope St John 1, (+ 526). Martyr. St John was martyred by the Arian King Theodoric.

Before expositing on our key Scripture for today, let us look at an alternative translation:

"And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent." (AMPC).

Let us consider a number of points about eternal life:

#1. What type of knowledge of God and Christ leads to eternal life? It is not book knowledge. Like knowing the facts in the Catechism. It is to know and experience God as God. It is knowledge mixed with faith. It is also knowledge that engenders love.

#2. Eternal life actually begins here and now. It begins when you are baptized and maintains the original innocence and purity of that state. Because God is rich in mercy, He established the Sacrament of Confession as the means of restoring the original innocence and purity.

#3. Eternal life is to know deeply that you are enjoying the Abundant Life promised by Jesus in John 10: 10. Jesus also promised: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14: 27 TLB).

#4. Eternal life is the awareness and enjoyment of the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of abundant and eternal life.

St Catherine of Siena, a great Mystic and Doctor of the Church says that Eternal life starts here and continues all the way to eternity.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com