4TH WEEK OF LENT

Whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life. 

When we think about eternal life, we think of heaven and the life that awaits us after we die. But in John’s Gospel—and especially in this verse in today’s Gospel reading—“eternal life” also means the life we experience now as believers in the Lord Jesus. Let’s reflect on what that means for each of us, personally.

As Jesus said, whoever believes in him “has passed from death to life”—from the slavery of sin to the freedom of life in Christ (John 5:24). Because we have eternal life, we can live even now in the grace of God. No sin is so great that it can’t be forgiven. Through Jesus’ cross and resurrection, we will always be forgiven when we come to him with a repentant heart.

Because we have eternal life, we never have to ask, “Who am I?” or “Does my life really matter?” We believe that we were created in love by our heavenly Father and that we are loved eternally in Christ, his Son. Those basic truths give our lives meaning and direction. We know who we are—sons and daughters of God—and we know who we are called to be—disciples of Christ.

Because we have eternal life, suffering is no longer meaningless. In prayer, we can unite our suffering and sacrifices with the sufferings of Christ to aid those most in need of God’s grace and mercy. Not only that, but we can trust that God will bring some good even out of our most painful difficulties and trials.

Because we have eternal life, we are united to our fellow believers. Whether they are still here on earth or already enjoying heavenly glory, we are in communion with them because Christ lives in each of us. Bodily death won’t separate us forever. In some mysterious way, we are all one in our Lord.

Jesus said that he gives life to whomever he wishes (John 5:21). He chose to give that life to you! It is a life that will never end because Christ himself is eternal and lives in you. May we begin and end each day in awe and thanksgiving for this incredible, priceless gift!

“Lord God, with all my heart, I thank you for the gift of eternal life!”

Isaiah 49:8-15
Psalm 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18
John 5:17-30