Loving Servants of Christ

Loving Servants of Christ

Eileen Renders

This question is so meaningful that it has become part of some memorable lyrics in popular songs. However, today this question becomes even more meaningful as it is being asked about our love in relation to our loving and merciful Creator. God sent His only son to be tortured and crucified to save us from sin, and any to save us from any punishment from sin that would permanently alienate us from Him.

Our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, waits for each of us to fully submit to Him so that He can give to us many graces and blessings that will sustain us until such time as we go with Him to our new heavenly paradise.

What does deep love involve, require, and seal such love? Have we fully submitted to Christ? It requires our full submission to Christ, accepting His will over our own, and, like our life partner, it requires trust. Often, because of our human nature, and perhaps our inability, disinterest, or lack of understanding, we do not spend enough time alone with the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are slow in reaching full spiritual maturity, in deepening our relationship with Christ, and become weakened in our ability to carry our Crosses as we pass through the days of our lives.

Reflecting for just a few minutes, we can readily comprehend that the world would be in a better place without wars, environmental disasters, violence in the streets, and unrest around the world if only we all would give God the time and focus He wants and deserves.

As humans born into the world with Original sin, we can only attain a deep, loving relationship with Him through prayer, sacraments, and making Him the most important part of each new day that He allows us to wake up from sleep. Our trust in Him is not meant to waver, but to grow stronger. Our understanding and desire to please God should continuously be growing. This can only happen when we devote time, energy, and focus on Him. As we all know, all life on Earth is temporary. Earthly goals, then, will also pass away.

We can show God our love in serving Him in ways that are most pleasing according to our abilities and God given talents. In Second Grade Catholic Schooling, and in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, we were taught “why God made us” before receiving these sacraments. We were taught that God made us, “To know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world so that we could one day be happy with Him in heaven. Let us, you and I, work together to make the number of God’s remnant grow day by day through our devotion. Faith is not passive; it is an “action” word. We can do this each day in teaching our children to grow in their love for God, and to spend some time with Him each and every day. When I graduated from grade school, my Aunt wrote in my autograph book saying,

“Remember, whenever you pass a church to stop in and visit, then one day when you are carried in, God will not have to ask, “Who is it?”