LIVE LIFE ONE DROP AT A TIME

In my most recent Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5), the image of a drop of water kept reoccurring. I stopped worrying about it and asked the question, “What does this mean?” My answer was “You only live life one drop of time at a time.” Upon further reflection, here are some of my drops.

We only live in the now, not the past, nor the future.

Each now, for all humans, is characterized by a series of choices.

These choices are different for each person based on the results of past choices of the moment.

Our choices make up who we will become.

Some choices we have made are not authentic with love. Other choices are dipped in hatred and other vices that cause cancer to the spirit.

Daily, we must battle to stave off the bacteria called Original Sin, that, left unchecked, will choke off life and eventually cause the corruption of the spirit in us.

Baptism gives us entrance into a way of life that gives us the tools to fight the good fight.

Baptism does not take away the effects of Original Sin, just the Sin of Adam.

Jesus came to save us from not knowing what these tools and help are. He told us to take up our cross daily and follow in His footsteps.

He walked the minefield to show us where to step. Being without sin, he could walk without getting blown up. Like us in all things but sin, he allowed us to be adopted sons and daughters of the Father, heir to the kingdom and posessing His strength, as we are capable of receiving it. Some people have lots of energy, some have a lesser amount, and others have none. It depends on how well we love others as Christ loved us.

Jesus left us a map to follow. The map is the continuity between His actions and what each age must assimilate as they seek to understand the meaning of “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” This map is called by the name Church, and exists for those in Heaven who have used it to achieve their destiny as humans to reach the intended fulfillment as humans. It is intended to give those still on earth a North for the compass. It won’t take away natural pain or human tendencies or prevent sin, but it will give us sufficient grace to combat the Evil One.

Christ did not leave us orphans. He knew the weakness of our human nature and how many times we say we will love others but end up only thinking about ourselves.

Christ gave us of His very self in each age, within the lifespan of each human, in the form of Eucharist, the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices of Abraham, Moses, David, the Prophets.

Humans, by themselves, cannot approach the presence of pure energy, pure love, and pure service without help. That help is Jesus. Read Philippians 2:5-12. It is love that sustains us, being present to Jesus body and blood, soul and divinity, as real as when he died on the cross for our sins.

Because Jesus became one of us, he knew our sinfulness and inclination to worship ourselves. He gave us a way to forgive ourselves for our behaviors that is not in keeping with who God is and to replace it with His own life, grace or energy. Behold, I make all things new.

In my brief time on earth, I have the opportunity to move to become more like Jesus by increasing His love in me and rooting out my false inclinations. Humans are not bad by nature, just prone to weakness and the effects of Original Sin.

Life is lived one drop at a time. My quest is to transform each drop into what is authentic for my humanity. What is authentic for my humanity comes from God through, with, and in Jesus, to the glory of the Father, in union with the energy of the Holy Spirit.

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