"God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to let you stay that way." I love these words and this stunning image of Jesus on the cross taken inside the Church of the Immacula on the campus of San Diego University reminds me of Christ’s first words on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”Just what have you done? After the turkey and football, comes the shopping frenzy. On Black Friday, people spent 10.3 billion in search of happiness. The compulsive urge to buy is strong when vendors tell us “to give in to the urge.” However, in this age of the internet, the buying frenzy for the holiday actually begins today on Cyber Monday when 68 million people will place their orders online.
Christ's life on earth was lived for others. He relinquished his self to live for others. We are called upon to do the same. Especially as we enter upon another season of Christmas buying madness, we need to constantly remind ourselves about where our true values should be. Christ has shown us the way to true happiness, and it doesn't come from anything in this world. Eternal life begins with our relinquishing of the things of this world.
But let me turn your attention to the best Christmas gift you might consider for yourself. The example comes from the request of the Good Thief: it is never too late to make a conversion, to turn our lives around and better arrange our priorities.
The thief asks only that Jesus remember him when he comes into his kingdom. And yet, just because he calls upon Jesus in his dying moments, our Lord promises not only to remember him in the next world but that today he will be with him in Paradise. The thief can die in peace.
It is the same for us. As long as there is breath in our bodies, forgiveness and salvation are always a possibility. As long as there is a "today", then conversion can happen. And our Lord will not only forgive us our sins but bring us to live with him forever. All we need to do is to remember that life consists of being with Christ because where Christ is, there is the kingdom.
Christ prays for us as we reflect: “Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, pardon our sins for your name’s sake.”
(Psalm 79:9).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are in need of conversion. Help us to root out pride and greed and allow your forgiveness to flow through our veins. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
