A fulfilled life

In the story of creation, God created his masterpiece on the sixth day “in the divine image” to have dominion over all other creatures. From the very beginning, God wanted man to cooperate with his plan of creation and salvation, and to be his instrument or “co-creator” in bringing forth new life on the earth. We oppose God and distort his plan whenever we harm, insult, or kill one person for no other reason than to destroy, perhaps find pleasure in such unreasonable annihilation of life, especially if the person is considered an obstacle to a personal goal.

In the midst of today’s confusion and darkness, there is need for the prophetic voice of our Church leaders, the bishops, who will speak the truth in love, in the name of God. Our bishops’ pastoral letter of January 30, 2017 can be read in toto on CBCP online. Part of it says: “To destroy one’s own life and the life of another, is a grave sin and does evil to society. The use of drugs is a sign that a person no longer values his own life, and endangers the lives of others. This traffic in illegal drugs needs to be stopped and overcome. But the solution does not lie in the killing of suspected drug users and pushers… We must all work together to solve the drug problem and work for the rehabilitation of drug addicts.”

Let us cooperate in our continued role in creation to pro-create, be pro-life. We give new life to others when we give them the light of Christ, when we share God’s love in various ways, as shown by Christ and the saints. We can use others for our selfish pleasures or we can offer our lives in love for the good of others. The example of great leaders and prophets and martyrs despite persecution shows us that dedication to the Lord and to the service of others is a most fulfilling way to live.

Jesus himself assures us of his supportive presence: “I am with you always until the end of this world” (Mt 28:20). “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (Ps 27:1), “with him as my stronghold, I shall not be overcome” (Ps 62:5). “Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16). Hatred does not belong to this temple, and we pray for the haters and persecutors. We pray for the continued work of the Spirit in renewing God’s earth to the glory of God: “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works!” (Ps 104:31).