By Perseverance, We Secure Our Lives: A Christian Journey

By Perseverance, We Secure Our Lives: A Christian Journey By your perseverance, you will secure your life. What is the ultimate goal of Christian life? Is it happiness? Perhaps happiness is a consequence, but it is not the goal! Is it eternal life? Again, while it may be a result, it is not the primary goal! Is it to love others? Yes, that may be a beautiful outcome, but it is still not the goal! What about receiving praise or honor? No, that too might happen, but it is not the purpose. What is the Goal of Christian Life? So, what is the goal of Christian life? It is to live in truth—not truth as we perceive it, nor as the world defines it, but truth as God reveals it. This question of truth came up in the Gospel we celebrated last week for the Solemnity of Christ the King. In His dialogue with Pontius Pilate, Jesus declared, “I came to testify to the truth, and anyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” When Pilate asked, “What is truth?” no immediate answer was given. Yet we know from John 14 that Jesus had already told His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Living in truth means living in Jesus. And Jesus warns us: those who live in truth should expect challenges, sufferings, and even persecution. Parents, siblings, and friends may turn against us. The world may misunderstand or hate us. Yet, Jesus assures us that by our perseverance, we will secure our lives—not merely this earthly life, but eternal life. By Our Perseverance Persecution for faith is not abstract. It happens daily. Some are denied the right to worship freely. Others face ridicule or violence. Jesus Himself tells us that persecution is inevitable for those who follow Him. Hear more within the Homily! Despite this, Jesus calls us to persevere. This perseverance secures not our earthly comfort, but eternal life. Let us pray for those living in hostile environments who struggle to keep their faith. May we receive the strength and courage to endure. And let us pray for ourselves, that we may never persecute others through our words or actions. Listen more to this Homily. Listen to: By Perseverance, We Secure Our Lives: A Christian Journey --------------------------- Image: The Light of the World: American Artist and Painter: Charles Bosseron Chambers: 1919 --------------------------- In 1919, Charles Chambers was commissioned to create paintings for the side altars of the newly constructed St. Ignatius Church in Chicago, Illinois. Among his works was a painting of St. Joseph holding the Infant Christ. A detail from this painting became known as The Light of the World. Between 1920 and 1940, millions of copies of the image were sold. Notably, a print of it is visible on the priest’s desk in the 1948 film The Miracle of the Bells.