Seized by Christ

They are experiencing Christianity as joy and hope, having thus become lovers of Christ.

Category: Sacramental & Marian Life

  • Fill the Jars:

    Our Part in Christ’s Miracles

    The story of the Wedding at Cana in Galilee is familiar to many: Mary, the mother of Jesus, notices a problem—“They have no wine”—and brings it to her Son. Jesus responds, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” Yet Mary’s reply to the servants is simple and profound: “Do whatever he tells you.”

    The miracle itself hinges on a simple instruction: Jesus tells the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they do, to the brim. Only then does Christ transform the water into wine—wine far superior to what had been prepared for the celebration.

    This story gives us a powerful lesson about our own spiritual life. Like the empty jars, Christ cannot work in our lives unless we first take the initiative to fill them:

    • Turning our hearts toward Him.
    • Seeking to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
    • Trusting and hoping in His promise, even before we see the outcome.

    The servants’ action—filling the jars—was not the miracle itself, but it was a necessary part. Our obedience, hope, and effort cooperate with God’s grace. The “wine” Christ gives us, the fruit of His blessing, is always far superior to anything we could produce on our own.

    Mary’s guidance, “Do whatever he tells you,” remains timeless. She shows us that responding faithfully to God’s direction, even in small and practical ways, opens the door for His glory to be revealed in our lives.

    When we fill our jars, we make room for Christ’s miraculous work—and the joy and abundance He offers is beyond what we could imagine.

    Edited with assistance of ChatGPT-5

  • Meditating on the Four Last Things

    How It Changed the Way I Treat People

    Q: What are the Four Last Things in Catholic spirituality?

    A:
    The Four Last Things are death, judgment, heaven, and hell. These are the final realities each soul must face, and they’ve been a traditional focus for Christian meditation for centuries. Saints like St. Francis de Sales recommended regularly meditating on these truths—not to frighten us, but to help us live with deeper purpose and love.

    Q: Why did St. Francis de Sales encourage meditation on death?

    A:
    Because death is inevitable—but always feels unexpected. St. Francis de Sales believed that reflecting often on the reality of death would help us live better lives: more present, more compassionate, and more forgiving. He wrote that death never seems expected, and that truth has stuck with me.

    Q: How has this meditation changed the way you interact with others?

    A:
    It’s made me realize just how fragile human life really is. I’ve started trying to treat each person as if it could be our last interaction. That doesn’t mean living in fear—it means living with intention.
    I ask myself:

    • Would I want this to be the last thing I ever said to this person?
    • If they—or I—weren’t here tomorrow, would I regret anything left unsaid, or the way I treated them

    That perspective makes it much harder to hold grudges or speak harshly. It doesn’t mean I don’t get frustrated—but it helps me pause, breathe, and remember what actually matters.

    Q: Isn’t that kind of reflection morbid or depressing?

    A:
     Not at all. In the Catholic tradition, memento mori (“remember you will die”) isn’t meant to drag us into fear—it’s meant to wake us up. It reminds us that life is short, people are precious, and love is urgent.
    It’s not about obsessing over death—it’s about choosing compassion today because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

    Q: How can other men benefit from this practice?

    A:
     For men especially, it’s easy to get caught up in productivity, control, or pride. But meditating on the Four Last Things cuts through all of that. It brings you face to face with your own limits—and from there, you can start building a life based on what actually endures: love, forgiveness, virtue, and eternal hope.

    In my men’s group, these meditations have sparked real conversations—not just about theology, but about how we’re living and who we’re becoming.

    Q: What are some simple ways to put this into practice?

    A:
     Here are a few:

    • Start your day with a 2-minute reflection on the Four Last Things.
    • Bless people silently, especially those who frustrate you.
    • Ask forgiveness quickly—don’t assume there will be another chance.
    • Thank people more often—you might not get to tomorrow.
    • Treat interruptions as opportunities to love more deeply.

    Final Thought:

    Life is fragile. People are fragile. And that is exactly why we must love boldly and forgive freely. The Four Last Things are not a threat—they are a call to holiness. A call to live every day as if it really matters—because it does.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT