possession
"The testimony is this: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever possesses the Son possesses life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not possess life." —1 John 5:11-12
St. John puts it very directly and bluntly. Jesus is Life (Jn 11:25; 14:6). If you want life, you need Jesus. "Whoever believes in the Son has life eternal" (Jn 3:36).
John even tells us why he writes to us: that we may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief we might have life in Jesus' name (see Jn 20:31). John tells us: "I have written this to you to make you realize that you possess eternal life — you who believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 Jn 5:13).
Do you possess Jesus? More importantly, does Jesus possess you? Have you given your life to Jesus? He died that you may have life, and life to the full (Jn 10:10). Live for Jesus now, and live with Him forever. Say with St. Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:19-20).
Prayer: Father, possess me and re-possess me. I am all Yours. "Keep me faithful to Your teaching and never let me be parted from You."
Promise: "Who, then, is conqueror of the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." —1 Jn 5:5
Praise: St. André lived a humble life of faith in God and devotion to St. Joseph as a door-keeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal. Many people credit their healings to his prayers.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(The first Discipleship Retreat of the year is Discipleship, Redemptive Suffering and Mary on Feb. 17-18. The mother of God is our guide as we serve the Lord. Call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 for location and to register.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 10, 2016
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