Seized by Christ

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

Tag: jesus

  • Take Up Your Cross:

    The Hero’s Anthem of Discipleship

    At Mass today, the congregation sang a hymn that almost reads like a hero’s anthem:

    “Take up thy cross,” the Savior said,
     “if thou wouldst my disciple be;
     deny thyself, the world forsake,
     and humbly follow after Me.”

    “Take up thy cross, let not its weight
     fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
     His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
     and brace thy heart, and nerve thine arm.”

    “Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
     nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
     thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
     to save thy soul from death and hell.”

    “Take up thy cross, and follow Christ,
     nor think till death to lay it down;
     for only they who bear the cross
     may hope to wear the glorious crown.”

    At first glance, it is a call to discipleship, a reminder to endure suffering, and a promise of eternal reward. But the hymn also mirrors the archetypal Hero’s Journey:

    • The Call to Adventure: The Savior invites each disciple to leave comfort behind, deny selfish desires, and step into a path of transformation.
    • Supernatural Aid: Divine strength sustains the believer, just as mythic heroes receive guidance and power from mentors or gods.
    • The Road of Trials: Enduring shame, temptation, and inner resistance is the crucible that refines courage, humility, and faith.
    • The Ultimate Boon: The crown at the journey’s end is victory over death and union with God—eternal life as the hero’s reward.
    • Return to the World: Though the cross is carried daily, the disciple’s journey inspires others, becoming a witness of hope and courage in the ordinary world.

    In essence, the hymn frames discipleship as a heroic quest. Each cross we bear is both trial and triumph, each act of faith a step along the path of transformation. It reminds us that true heroism is not the absence of suffering, but the courage to endure, the humility to trust, and the hope that, in the end, life’s ultimate reward is already glimpsed in faith.

    The lyrics are by: Everest, Charles William, M.A

    Written with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Freedom of Religion, Truth, and the Search for Eternity

    Why freedom demands responsibility in faith

    We live in an age where freedom of religion is widely affirmed. At its core, this means that every person has the right to believe as they choose. No one should be forced into faith, nor punished for following their conscience.

    But that freedom also brings a serious responsibility. If adults are free to choose, then each of us should be intentional about our choice. Why would anyone remain in a religion they believe is not the best path for them? A thoughtful person should seek out the truth, weigh what is offered, and decide what is truly worth staking their life on.

    As Catholics, we believe Jesus’ words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). For us, Heaven is where Christ is. To someone outside the faith, however, that may not sound appealing. If their idea of heaven is life without Jesus, then by definition, their “heaven” would actually be part of what Christians call hell.

    This doesn’t mean we condemn others. In fact, freedom of religion cuts both ways. If I claim Christ as the only way, my neighbor has just as much right to claim otherwise. What we don’t have the right to do is force conversion or resort to violence in the name of truth. Our call is different: to witness, to invite, to live a life that reflects the joy of knowing Christ.

    And this is where Pope Benedict XVI’s insight becomes urgent. In Light of the World (2010), he reflects on what happens when people reject God’s eternity:

    “Man strives for eternal joy; he would like pleasure in the extreme, would like what is eternal. But when there is no God, it is not granted to him and it cannot be. Then he himself must now create something that is fictitious, a false eternity… A craving for happiness has developed that cannot content itself with things as they are. The destructive processes at work in that are extraordinary and are born from the arrogance, the boredom, and the false freedom of the Western world.”

    Drugs, sex tourism, consumerism—Benedict calls these “false eternities,” counterfeit paradises that destroy families, enslave nations, and wound the dignity of entire peoples. They promise joy, but deliver despair.

    The alternative is not complicated. It is Christ. In Him, we taste eternity even now: peace that lasts, joy that cannot be taken away, love that gives life. Freedom of religion allows each person to choose—but only Christ offers a freedom that endures beyond this world.

    So what do we do as Christians?

    • Hold fast to the truth, without arrogance.
    • Respect others’ freedom, without compromise.
    • Live in such a way that others glimpse Heaven through us.

    Freedom of religion gives us the right to believe as we will. But the Gospel gives us the reason to believe as we should.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

    Follow-up Reflection:
    Freedom of Religion and the Courage to Listen – Respectful sharing strengthens faith, not fear.

  • When the Church Faces Crisis:

    How Truth Endures Through the Ages

    Every age of the Church has faced storms. At times the threats came from outside — persecution, ridicule, or hostile powers. Other times, the threats rose from within — confusion, corruption, false teaching. In those moments, it has often seemed as though the very foundations of faith were shaking. Yet again and again, God has used such crises not only to purify His Church but also to raise up saints who held fast to the truth.

    The Arian Crisis

    In the 4th century, much of the Church was swept away by the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Christ. Bishops, emperors, and even entire regions sided with this distortion of the Gospel. Ordinary Christians found themselves wondering if the faith had been lost. Yet in that dark moment, figures like St. Athanasius stood firm, even at the cost of exile and persecution. Through their fidelity, the true doctrine of Christ was preserved, and the Church eventually emerged stronger, with the Nicene Creed as a lasting testament to truth.

    The Reformation

    In the 16th century, the Church faced one of its greatest upheavals: the Protestant Reformation. Corruption and abuses within the hierarchy had already shaken confidence in the institution. When Luther and others rose up in protest, their grievances quickly grew into theological revolts that shattered Christian unity in the West. Millions were swept into schism, and faith in the Church as a visible sign of unity seemed broken. Yet even in this turmoil, saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Ávila, and St. Charles Borromeo rose up. They called the Church not to abandon her foundations, but to reform by returning to holiness, clarity of doctrine, and fidelity to Christ. Their witness helped bring about the Counter-Reformation, a renewal that revitalized Catholic life and mission for centuries.

    The Modernist Crisis

    Fast forward to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Modernism threatened the heart of Catholic thought. It claimed to “update” Christianity by reducing it to psychology, sociology, and human opinion, stripping away the mystery of divine revelation. Pope St. Pius X saw this as “the synthesis of all heresies,” and his strong response preserved the faith against being dissolved into mere philosophy. Out of this struggle emerged renewed clarity on the relationship between faith and reason, paving the way for later theological developments that were both faithful and fruitful.

    What This Means for Us Today

    Looking back, one thing is clear: whenever the Church has faced crisis, some have fallen away. The faith of many proved shallow or dependent on the approval of the age. Yet at the same time, crises have always forged saints — men and women who stood firm, who refused compromise, and who became living lights for future generations.

    We should not be surprised if our own time feels like such a crisis. The Church wrestles with new pressures: secular ideologies, internal confusion, and a temptation to water down truth in the name of relevance. Some may lose their way. But God is not defeated. He is, even now, raising up saints.

    The question for us is: Will we be among those who fall away, or among those who stand firm? History shows that when the storm passes, it is always those who clung to Christ — simply, humbly, and faithfully — who carried the Church through.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Are You Truly Awake?

    Are You Truly Awake?

    Why Faith Needs Daily Self-Denial

    “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep.” — Romans 13:11

    Many of us go through life half-awake—spiritually asleep without realizing it. We may hear the truth, see God’s work in the world, even attend church—but we live as if it’s all just background noise. We mix reality with imagination, and even brief awakenings fade quickly.

    In earlier times, faith was tested by persecution. Early Christians showed courage and joy in suffering because truth demanded sacrifice. Today, faith is easier to display. Religion is respected, even fashionable. Outward appearances of devotion—family prayer, Bible reading, church attendance—are common.

    But here’s the danger: it’s easy to follow God for the wrong reasons—social approval, habit, convenience—rather than love. True faith often goes against the crowd. The Gospel challenges human nature. Real discipleship isn’t about looking good in public; it’s about living rightly when no one is watching.

    So how do we know our faith is real? Jesus gives the answer: self-denial. “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34) Faith is tested not in heroic moments but in daily choices—small sacrifices, resisting laziness, controlling anger, yielding in minor matters, or doing what’s inconvenient for God’s sake.

    Look at your weakest points—your temptations, habits, and hidden struggles. That’s where your cross is. That’s where your faith is proven. Small, consistent acts of self-denial—fasting, discipline, service—train your heart and strengthen your will for greater challenges.

    Even the best of us fail. That’s why we need constant repentance, Christ’s forgiveness, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But if we take obedience seriously, faith becomes alive. We awaken fully, living each day for God, confident in His grace and presence.

    Wake up. Take up your cross daily. Live as if your faith truly matters—and watch your life transform.

    Reference:

    Newman, John Henry. Sermon 5: Self-Denial the Test of Religious Earnestness. Newman Reader — Works of John Henry Newman. National Institute for Newman Studies, 2007.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT

  • Christ Lives in Us

    Have you ever thought about what it really means to invite Christ into your life? For many of us, it can feel like something far away—like we are reaching out to someone who is distant. But the truth is far more personal: when we open our hearts to Him, Christ actually comes to live within us.

    This is not just a comforting idea. It’s the very heart of the Christian life. The Son of God, who is holy and perfect, chooses to dwell in people like you and me—imperfect, weak, and still struggling. On our own, we fail. We fall short. But with Christ living in us, His strength begins to shine through our weakness.

    That changes everything. Being a Christian isn’t about trying harder to be “good enough.” If it all depended on us, we would never measure up. Instead, it’s about allowing Christ to transform us from the inside out. As St. Paul said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

    And this truth is both humbling and hopeful. It humbles us, because we can no longer take pride in our good works—they belong to Him. But it also fills us with hope, because even if we feel small, broken, or unworthy, God is still at work in us. Through Him, even the smallest act of love becomes something eternal.

    So when you walk into your day—into your family, your workplace, your community—remember this: you are not just following Christ. You are carrying Him. His presence goes where you go. His light shines where you let it shine.

    But How Do We Know Christ Dwells Within Us?

    This is a question every believer asks. How can we be sure? How do we perceive His presence?

    Christ’s indwelling is not usually seen with our eyes, but it is perceived in the quiet, steady signs of His life at work within us:

    1. Peace beyond circumstances – A calm that remains even when life is difficult.
    2. A gentle inner voice – Nudges to forgive, to turn from sin, to act with mercy.
    3. Hunger for God – Prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments no longer feel like duties but like food for the soul.
    4. Change in desires – Old sins lose their grip; a yearning for goodness grows stronger.
    5. Love that surprises – Patience, kindness, or forgiveness that feels beyond one’s own capacity.
    6. Strength in weakness – Grace that carries us when our own strength fails.
    7. Joy in sacrifice – Even in suffering, meaning and light break through.

    These are the fruits of Christ’s presence, the evidence that faith is not just an idea, but a living reality.

    To perceive Him is to notice how He changes us, often slowly, often quietly, but always surely. If you see even the smallest trace of this new life in yourself, it is not from you alone—it is Christ dwelling within you.

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  • Jesus: The Perfection of Man

    How Christ embodies the fullness of love, virtue, and unity with God

    When Christians speak of Jesus as the “Son of Man,” it’s not just a title—it’s a truth about who He is for all humanity. Jesus does not merely show us what it means to be human; He is humanity perfected. He reveals in Himself what man was always meant to be, and in doing so, He calls each of us to become fully alive in Him.

    1. The Perfection of Love
     Love is the greatest commandment and the highest calling of humanity. In Jesus, we see love without limit—love that heals, forgives, sacrifices, and redeems. His compassion for the poor, His mercy toward sinners, and His willingness to lay down His life for the undeserving all reveal a love that is not sentimental but costly. This love is not merely an emotion but a total self-giving that fulfills the law and the prophets.

    2. The Perfection of Virtue
     The word “virtue” originally meant “manliness” or “strength of character.” In Jesus, every virtue is present in its fullness—courage, justice, temperance, prudence, humility, fortitude. He is bold before the powerful, gentle with the brokenhearted, and unwavering in the face of temptation. His life shows that true manhood is not domination or pride, but the disciplined strength to serve, protect, and do what is right even when it costs everything.

    3. The Perfection of the Image of God
     Humanity was created in the image and likeness of God, yet sin has distorted that image. Jesus is the perfect and uncorrupted image of the Father. He reflects God’s nature perfectly in His thoughts, words, and actions. To look at Christ is to see what man was meant to be—fully aligned with God’s will, radiating truth, beauty, and goodness.

    4. The Perfection of Unity with the Holy Spirit
     From His conception, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. In His baptism, ministry, miracles, and prayer, we see a life completely guided by the Spirit of God. This unity was not partial or occasional—it was constant. His words carried divine authority because they were Spirit-led. His works carried divine power because they were Spirit-filled. In Jesus, humanity is in perfect communion with the Spirit, showing us what it means to walk with God in every moment.

    5. The Invitation to Follow
     If Jesus is the perfection of man, then following Him is not simply a religious act—it is the path to becoming fully human ourselves. He does not remain a distant ideal; He offers His Spirit so that we can share in His life. We are called not just to admire Him, but to be transformed into His likeness.

    In Christ, we see not only the perfection of man, but the perfection of our destiny. To follow Him is to walk toward the fullness of love, virtue, unity, and divine image for which we were created.

    If this reflection stirred something in you, don’t keep it to yourself. Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s start a conversation on what true humanity looks like in Christ. If you found this post helpful, click “like,” subscribe for more reflections, and share it with someone who needs to be reminded of who they were made to be.

    Written with assistance from ChatGPT–5

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  • 10 REASONS TO SEEK JESUS

    1. Jesus Christ is the perfection of man, because He is the perfection of love. If we wish to be the best we can be, we must aspire to be like Christ. However, we will not be able to achieve this on our own.
    2. When we invite Christ into our lives, He becomes present in and through us. Thus, while we are hopeless sinners, we become carriers of the perfection of man. In fact, there is no place for pride, because all the good we do comes from Him. We cannot take credit for it.
    3. Through His grace we overcome sin, suffering, and death. Our past sins and any future faults have already been paid for by the price of His death and resurrection. Most new sins can be avoided by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.The torture of suffering is replaced by loving sacrifice for Christ, our purpose. Suffering only exists in the areas of self that we still cling to. In those areas where we have died to ourselves and surrendered to Him, death no longer has its sting. For many saints this has been simply a step through a veil.
    4. We have the eyes and heart of Christ. We see how much Christ loves everyone around us, and we see where they have been wounded.
    5. Everything we have—skill, effort, motivation, and knowledge—is worthless if it is not in the service of love, of Christ.
    6. We live in true joy, peace, and love. If we are doing His work—the work we were created for—it will be the greatest adventure we could ever have (with the best ending).
    7. We are washed in His love. We appreciate that Jesus loved us so much that He died for our sins. And He who died for us will never abandon us. We can know that when we speak, He hears us. He is always waiting for us in the stillness of our hearts. We gain the understanding that whatever happens to us is His blessing for us. It is the best thing that could happen.                                                                    
    8. Letting Him live through us, we can be better spouses, parents, children, employees, bosses, business owners, salespeople, customers, coworkers, students, teachers, friends, and citizens. By showing respect, being willing to put others first, with honesty, diligence, patience, perseverance, love, mercy, and loyalty, we gain the ideal character in all these areas.
    9. By keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, we can sacrifice to help overcome sin and suffering in the world around us. We can turn the other cheek instead of seeking revenge. Instead of adding to chaos, we can be a source of healing. Christianity has been the origin of showing respect and dignity to all humanity, as well as to animals and the environment. These have been the foundations for most of civilization’s progress since Christ. In areas where Christianity has been eliminated, such as under communist regimes, it is clear what the reign of evil brings.

    …As for the miseries and sins he heard of every day in the world, he was far from reproaching those people. On the contrary, he was surprised there were not more, considering the malice of which sinners were capable. For his part, he prayed for them, but knowing that God can remedy the harm they caused whenever He wishes, he himself did not trouble himself further.

     —Brother Lawrence in Christ

    1. We can help others come to know the love of Christ. It will take a billion martyrs to overcome the evil done in Christ’s name. It will take many more living martyrs to bring Christ to all the hopeless people in this world. If Christianity is a personal encounter with Christ, the Christ people meet must be presented through us.

    If You Really Knew Jesus, Then You Would Really Love Jesus

    Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s start a conversation on what true humanity looks like in Christ. If you found this post helpful, click “like,” subscribe for more reflections, and share it with someone who needs to be reminded of who they were made to be.

  • A Word If Spoken

    I’ve carried this meditation for a while.

    I believe that for every person, there is a word—a message—that, if spoken, would cause them to freely and joyfully choose faith and to live for Christ.

    Everyone I’ve ever known who serves Christ with sincerity has heard this word. Maybe not in the same form, not the same message or tone, but they’ve received a word that reached the core of their heart. Something called them—not by force, but with the unmistakable pull of truth and love.

    And because I believe Jesus came that all might be saved, I also believe such a word exists for every person. A message capable of lighting up the heart.

    The only problem?
    I don’t know what that word is.

    The Work-Around

    So here’s what I try instead.

    I tell people: I know there’s a word that, if you heard it, would make you want to seek God with everything in you. I don’t know the word itself. But I’m asking you to assume that maybe it has not yet been spoken to you. 

    And if that’s true, then the most logical response is to begin seeking. Listening. Asking.

    Because if you can believe that at some point the door will be opened, … now it’s just a matter of stepping through.

    What This Says About Grace and Free Will

    This meditation walks a fine line between two deep truths of the faith:

    • That God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4),
    • And that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17).

    Why This Matters to Me

    This belief gives me two things:

    • Hope: That no one is beyond the reach of grace.
    • Humility: That I don’t have to be the one to say the perfect thing. I just have to point toward the Word, however I can.

    In some cases, I believe people are simply too “high up”—too successful, too secure, too self-assured—to look up. They haven’t been brought low enough to feel the need for God. But if they become curious now,… perhaps it will prevent that fall. Or prepare them for it.

    How About You?

    Have you ever had a moment where something clicked—a word, a thought, a memory—that stirred something deeper in you?

    Or maybe you’re still waiting for your word to be spoken?I’d love to hear your reflections, questions, or stories.

    You can leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your reflections, questions, or stories.

    Written with assistance from ChatGPT

  •  Why Does Pope Benedict Connect New Testament Love with Old Testament Commandments?

    Understanding the continuity of love in salvation history through the lens of Deus Caritas Est

    In Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI teaches that Christian love isn’t something radically new—it grows from the soil of Israel’s covenant. By connecting the New Testament emphasis on love with Old Testament commandments, he roots Christian charity in the very heart of divine revelation. His point is not to discard the old, but to show how Christ fulfills it with new depth and clarity.

    Continuity of the Covenant

    From the beginning of his encyclical, Pope Benedict makes this continuity clear:

    “The Christian faith, while retaining the core of Israel’s faith, gives it new depth and breadth.” (Deus Caritas Est §1)

    He quotes the great Shema of Israel:

    “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5)

    Love of God, then, was never absent from the faith of Israel—it was central. What Jesus brings is not a break from the past, but its true fulfillment.

    Jesus Fulfills the Law in Love

    Jesus joins this vertical command to another, found in Leviticus:

    “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)

    In the Gospel of Mark, He unites the two into one supreme law of love:

    “There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29–31)

    Pope Benedict highlights this to show that Jesus didn’t abolish the commandments, but revealed their full meaning. Love, properly understood, is the essence of the Law.

    From Obligation to Response

    Why do we love? Because “God has first loved us.” (1 John 4:10)
    This shifts everything. Love is no longer a heavy demand—it’s a response. Benedict writes that when love begins in God’s gift, the “command” to love is transformed into an invitation to relationship.

    Thus, keeping the commandments becomes a matter not of fear or duty, but of joy. Love of God leads naturally to love of neighbor.

    A Two-Fold Orientation: Vertical and Horizontal

    By presenting these two commands as one, Jesus shows that Christian love must always move in two directions:

    • Vertical – Toward God in worship and devotion
    • Horizontal – Toward neighbor in service and charity

    Pope Benedict stresses that these cannot be separated. True love of God leads to care for others, and real love for others flows from communion with God.

  • If Love Is the Main Christian Message, Why Does the Church Seem So Strict at Times?

    Understanding how Church discipline flows from love, not contradiction

    This question gets to the heart of a common struggle: If Christianity is centered on love, why does the Church often feel like a place of rules, restrictions, and prohibitions?

    Pope Benedict XVI anticipated this very question in Deus Caritas Est, where he asks bluntly:

    “Doesn’t the Church, with all her commandments and prohibitions, turn to bitterness the most precious thing in life?”

    The answer, as Benedict explains, is not to dismiss the rules—but to reconnect them with love. When love is forgotten, rules can feel cold or burdensome. But when love is central, even the strictness of the Church is revealed to be a form of protection and guidance.

    1. Benedict’s Challenge: Love Must Ground the Rules

    Rules lose their meaning when disconnected from love. That’s why Benedict insists the Church must re-anchor every commandment in God’s love.

    Christian morality, then, is not a burdensome legal code—it is a path of grateful response to the One who loved us first. It flows from relationship, not performance.

    2. Rules as Protective Boundaries, Not Arbitrary Limits

    Church teachings are not random restrictions. They are moral guardrails, meant to preserve human dignity and protect the possibility of real love.

    Safeguarding dignity: Certain behaviors wound ourselves and others. Catholic teaching identifies and warns against them to prevent harm.
    Map to freedom: The Church teaches that true freedom is not doing whatever we want, but doing what is good. Love needs discipline in order to grow.

    3. Loving Discipline from a Spiritual Parent

    The Church sees herself as both mother and teacher. Just as a parent sets boundaries for their child’s safety and growth, so too the Church offers moral discipline for our spiritual development.

    Spiritual fatherhood and motherhood: Rules shape conscience and virtue. They help form people capable of real, sacrificial love—not just fleeting emotion.

    4. Historical Roots: Guarding the Faith

    From the early Church to the present, moral clarity has been essential:

    Councils and canons fought heresy and spiritual confusion.
    Medieval moral theology gave believers a practical roadmap to holiness.
    Today, Pope Benedict invites us to rediscover that path—not as cold rules, but as love in action.

    The goal is not legalism. The goal is love that is wise, ordered, and enduring.

    Follow-up Question:

    Can you think of a Church teaching or rule that felt restrictive at first, but later you saw how it protected or deepened your experience of God’s love?