"Spiritual DNA"

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9) 

When you were a child, someone may have told you, “You’re the spitting image of your dad.” Or “Your eyes remind me so much of your mother’s.” Or maybe you heard “You have your father’s laugh” or “You have your mother’s nose.” These remarks reflect the truth that we don’t just pop into the world as completely independent beings. We inherit our physical makeup from our parents. Even in the case of someone who has never met our family, there’s still some truth to the fact that when they meet us, they are meeting our parents as well. 

If this is true about human parents and children, imagine how much more it is for Jesus and his heavenly Father! He even says as much in today’s Gospel: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). All of his Father’s love and power were wrapped up in everything Jesus said and did.

Now for the really good news: because the Spirit lives within us, we too are infused with God’s love and power. We are sons and daughters of God who carry our Father’s “spiritual DNA.” Of course, like any other child, we still have to grow into our inheritance. But isn’t it wonderful to know we have all the tools we need to do just that?

You are a child of God. Hold on to this truth every day—especially when you are confronted with sin and weakness. Remember the goodness that your Father has placed in you when you are reminded of your failings. Remember that you have been filled with divine grace to help you live a holy life. Remember who you are—and whose you are. [Emphasis mine]

When you have an impossible deadline at work, remember Jesus, who persevered through long days of ministry. Ask for his strength to carry on. When you are offended and want to retaliate, remember Jesus, who silently endured the cross. Ask the Spirit for his patience and compassion. When you want to offer to pray with a friend but feel afraid, remember your heavenly brothers and sisters, the saints. Let their boldness embolden you. Who knows? Before the day is over, someone might say, “You know, I see something different in you. What could it be?” 

“Father, may I reflect your presence within me today.” 

from wau.org

Abundance of life (John 10:10)

. . . so that they might have life . . . more abundantly. (John 10:10)

“But I already have life,” you might argue. True, and yet there is more. With Jesus there is always more. Whatever degree of “life” you experience today, there’s more waiting for you. Thoughts and temptations may try to convince you otherwise, but Jesus is clear. He came to this earth, in fact, so that you would experience rich, overflowing life. Rich, in grace and gifts from God your Father; overflowing, in God’s love that fills your heart and spills out to people around you.

This abundant life is already yours through the Spirit you received in Baptism, so why not experience it? Here are a few ways you can discover it.

You can know this abundant life in your thoughts. You don’t have to be a slave to negative or critical thoughts. Jesus came so that you might think the best of yourself and other people, even those who have hurt you. Perhaps it means praying, “Father, forgive” hundreds of times a day. Or “Holy Spirit, help me know how you think” repeatedly. It might mean trying to focus your mind on God’s goodness, not about who has hurt you, or on what God has promised you rather than any troubles that might happen. 

You can know abundant life in your words too. Your words can influence the atmosphere around you; they can heal, comfort, encourage, and impart wisdom. Try telling yourself, “My prayers are powerful” or “Jesus lives in me.” A simple statement such as “What a good daughter you are” might encourage someone caring for an ailing parent. Words like these, words of grace and truth, pleasant and insightful, can flow out of your mouth as Jesus’ love fills your heart. And of course, there’s much grace in knowing when to keep quiet. 

Jesus also came so that your actions might flow out of his abundance. The smallest actions—taking soup to a sick friend or mowing a neighbor’s lawn—bear fruit, even if you never see it. When you take a moment to comfort someone, you are bringing Christ, and his abundant life, to them. When you spend a few minutes in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, you are receiving even more of that life so that you can keep sharing it with other people.

Jesus always has more to give you!

“Thank you, Lord, for giving me abundant life.”

from wau.org