We must remember that the world is crumbling apart. That is the nature of the physical world. It would then appear to be folly to seek immortal life in this oh-so-changing world. Eternal life is possible as our souls are not material, for the material world deteriorates and changes. Perhaps this reads too literally; I mean to imply this in various ways. Do not seek immortality in being remembered or by fame. Is it not that this is a type of pride, and even if some record of you shall persist through some amount of time, surely pride will not lead to eternal life but rather to death. And this death is that which we should flee. It is written in the Sacred Scriptures that he who gives his life shall keep it. This is made very clear in the glorious deaths of the martyrs, assuredly, but it would seem to be true in giving our lives in other ways. Love and acts of charity should not be ignored. Alas, love is a gift of God and comes only through Him, and He is extraordinarily generous. Like a spring, goodwill comes from God to all who may accept it, even unto those who claim to hate Him. If only they knew Him, as opposed to their contrived ideas about Him, assuredly they would not hate but love He who is Love.
Some may desire to become saints. This is a very good goal, one that we should all strive for. However, one should not desire to become a saint so as to be recorded in history or to be seen as good by the people. St. Mother Theresa was world-renowned for her kindness (which was only possible by the work of God), and yet people published hit jobs and misleading things about her in an attempt to paint her as a bad woman, or otherwise hated her for her faithful convictions. Let them hate you. Remember that they hated our King of Martyrs first, our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember also that they brought false charges against Him as well, and be glad that you may participate at least a little in the same sufferings of Christ. This does not mean to actually do anything that is wrong that could lead to somehow justified hatred or condemnations against you, but that we should attempt to live perfect lives, as our Heavenly Father is perfect, for such is the teaching of our Lord. Pray for those who hate you wrongly, and live rightly.
-Praise be to the Everlasting and Eternal God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God as it always has been, is now, and ever shall be.
Some may desire to become saints. This is a very good goal, one that we should all strive for. However, one should not desire to become a saint so as to be recorded in history or to be seen as good by the people. St. Mother Theresa was world-renowned for her kindness (which was only possible by the work of God), and yet people published hit jobs and misleading things about her in an attempt to paint her as a bad woman, or otherwise hated her for her faithful convictions. Let them hate you. Remember that they hated our King of Martyrs first, our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember also that they brought false charges against Him as well, and be glad that you may participate at least a little in the same sufferings of Christ. This does not mean to actually do anything that is wrong that could lead to somehow justified hatred or condemnations against you, but that we should attempt to live perfect lives, as our Heavenly Father is perfect, for such is the teaching of our Lord. Pray for those who hate you wrongly, and live rightly.
-Praise be to the Everlasting and Eternal God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God as it always has been, is now, and ever shall be.
