Part 2: The message
In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis offers the young at heart a message that provides a solid foundation for following Jesus and saying “yes” to our vocation from God:
• God loves us without limit or strings attached. We can’t earn God’s love, or lose it. God has loved us first. God cannot not love us.
• Because we can’t go to God, on account of sin, God came to us and lived among us in the person of Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world.
• The holy Spirit of God led Jesus to live to give, to give life and gladness to others, culminating in giving his life on the cross so that we can saved from hell for heaven.
• Jesus rose from the dead to show that to live to give is not the dissipation or depletion of life, but rather its fulfillment, and the cause of our happiness.
• Jesus invites us to live to give life and gladness to others, to provide for and protect those who can’t do for themselves, even if they don’t say please or thank you.
• We are invited to live to give in a state of life God has planned for us: dedicated single life or marriage, religious life or priesthood.
• If we live our vocation, God promises us happiness, a filled-full life here and in heaven, and the best chance of changing the world for the better.
That’s a pretty solid foundation for any life project, wouldn’t you say? Is your life built on God’s message and plan for your happiness and fulfillment?
This is part of a series by Archbishop Jackels on vocations. Previous articles appear here
