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The Gift of Himself: Resting in Divine Intimacy
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
1 John 5:11-15
And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.
Grace Prayed For
The scripture passage prompts the reader to pray for the grace to rejoice deeply in our union with the Trinitarian God and to live out the confident assurance that He hears and answers our prayers according to His will, allowing this truth to permeate every aspect of our being and overflow into our interactions with others.
Reflection
Let these words from John’s letter wash over you like a gentle stream, for they speak of a truth so profound it can reorient your entire being: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” What an astonishing declaration! It’s not merely a promise for some distant future, but a vibrant, present reality. God, in His infinite generosity, hasn’t just given us things or ideas, but Himself. He has poured out His very life into His Son, and through Jesus, that divine life now pulsates within you, within me.
Consider the intimacy of this gift. It’s not a transactional exchange, but an utter self-giving. If you have the Son, you have life. This isn’t just about avoiding spiritual death; it’s about being alive in a way that transcends earthly existence. It means you are united with the very source of all life, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in an unbreakable bond. This union isn’t something you strive to achieve; it is a gift already given, a dwelling place already established.
Think about how Jesus has loved you, how He has impacted your life. For me, Jesus’ love has been the steadfast anchor in every storm, the gentle whisper of hope in moments of despair, and the powerful surge of joy that lifts my spirit. He has shown me forgiveness when I least deserved it, offered grace beyond measure, and constantly called me to a deeper, more authentic existence. His presence transforms the mundane into the sacred, infusing every interaction with purpose and every challenge with strength. This isn’t a theoretical love; it’s a lived reality that has shaped who I am and how I see the world.
And because this life, this union, is so real, so vibrant, it empowers us with an astonishing confidence: “if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” This isn’t a blank check for our every whim, but an invitation to co-create with God, to align our desires with His perfect love. When we know we are heard, when we know our prayers are rooted in His will for abundant life, we can be assured that our requests are obtained. This isn’t a transactional deal; it’s a deep, abiding trust born from the intimacy of our union.
This profound truth – that God gives Himself to us, that we are united with Him through His Son – is not meant to be kept to ourselves. How can we, having received such a lavish gift, not desire to share it? This union overflows, prompting us to take this message out into the world. Every encounter becomes an opportunity to radiate the divine life within.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
Sharing personal testimonies (when appropriate): When the opportunity arises organically, I can share how Jesus has specifically loved and impacted my life, not in a preachy way, but as a personal, heartfelt experience.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post