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Do You Remember the First Time You Met Jesus?
by Father Brian J. Soliven on Sunday February 9, 2025
What is the “Good News” of Christianity that we always hear about? It is none other than a profound and life-changing message: that God, in His infinite love, has made a way for us to be united with Him, through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the Gospel, and it is a message that offers hope, healing, and eternal life to all who respond to it with faith.
At the core of Catholic belief is the conviction that humanity is in need of redemption. From the moment of original sin, we have been separated from God, but through Jesus Christ, God has provided the means to restore us. Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world as both fully divine and fully human. He lived among us, showing us how to love, how to forgive, and how to live in communion with God. But His mission was far greater than simply teaching; He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. On the cross, He bore the weight of the world's brokenness, and by His resurrection, He triumphed over sin and death, offering us the gift of eternal life.
This good news is not just about an individual relationship with God but about the entire Church. The Church, as the Body of Christ, is called to continue the mission of Christ on Earth—bringing His message of salvation to all people. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, Catholics believe they are intimately united with Christ, receiving His grace to live holy lives and to be a source of light and hope in the world.
This salvation is a pure gift from God, but it is a gift that requires a response. Through faith, hope, and charity, Catholics are called to live out the good news of the Gospel, not only by receiving God's grace but by sharing it with others. The Church emphasizes the importance of love, especially love for the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. By serving others and living a life of holiness, Catholics are called to be witnesses to the transformative power of Christ's love in the world.
It is a message of hope that touches every aspect of life. It is a message of healing for the brokenhearted, of peace for the troubled, and of joy for those who long for meaning and purpose. It is the promise that we are not alone, that God is with us always, guiding us through life's challenges. And it is the assurance that, through Christ, we are invited into eternal communion with God, a communion that begins now and lasts forever.
In a world filled with uncertainty, the Catholic Church proclaims the good news of a God who is always faithful, always loving, and always present. This is the foundation of Christian hope: that we are loved beyond measure, and that through Christ, all things are possible.