eternal life is...
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." —John 10:28
Jesus promised to give us eternal life, that is, the quality of life that is lived in heaven forever. Jesus kept His promise when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. We received His gift of eternal life when we were baptized. We live eternal life when we give our lives to Jesus and love Him with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength (see Lk 10:27).
By faith, are we living eternal life right now? If we're not living it on earth before our deaths, why should we expect to live it in heaven after our deaths? If we don't choose to give our lives to Jesus now, why would we want to be with Him forever?
Eternal life is not just a happy, everlasting life; it is primarily a life of total love for Life Himself, Jesus our Lord (Jn 14:6; 11:25). "Eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Him Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ" (Jn 17:3). Eternal life is knowing Jesus personally and deeply. Eternal life is living in God which is living in love, for God is love (1 Jn 4:16). "The testimony is this: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever possesses the Son possesses life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not possess life" (1 Jn 5:11-12). Live totally for Jesus. Accept eternal life.
Prayer: Father, may I let You live in me so I may share in Your divine life (see 2 Pt 1:4).
Promise: "For a whole year they met with the church and instructed great numbers. It was in Antioch that the disciples were called Christians for the first time." —Acts 11:26
Praise: As he lay dying, Pope Pius V charged the Church to elect as the new pope a man who should "only seek the glory of God."
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Risen Life.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 10, 1995
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 13, 1995