“Everyone who believes in him…may have eternal life.”
‘Believing in’ means a commitment to Him; to see the world as He sees it.
Jesus wanted us to see reality as he saw it with – what we call – the eyes of faith.
Short story I have often used.
Imagine a small building site. Four men working there.
A social-science undergraduate – with a mike – comes onto the site.
“Please, in a few words, tell me know what you are doing”
1st says “Can’t you see, I am mixing concrete.”
The 2nd “Can’t you see I am building a house.”
Number 3 replies; “Isn’t it obvious. I am earning a living”
and the 4th says:” Well, I reckon I am helping God build a home for a family.”
Which one is right? What do think? Who had a perception of Christian Faith?
Jesus of Nazareth – The Christ - used concrete, memorable examples to teach universal truths and virtues – and help us think as He thinks.
Remember His, “What father would give a snake when son asked for a fish?” (Lk 11,11-12) A human father would not refuse a basic desire from his son, so God too would not refuse a basic need when we ask him.
And, “ A camel pass through the eye of needle?” (Lk 18,25) I suspect there was a woman sewing as a camel passed by. A heart set on materialism is unable to value the Kingdom of God.
“Strain out gnat while eating a camel.” (Mt 23,24) Nice play on words as in Aramaic, ‘camel’ is gamla; and ‘gnat’ is galma. Do not fuss about trifles while ignoring more serious matters: like some priests I know worrying more about their dress - the lace on their cottas - rather than the content – and length - of their homilies.
Prof. Msgr. Vladimir Felzmann aka Father Vlad
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