Shortly after the breakup of the Beatles, George Harrison released a peppy little single entitled “What Is Life” — with no punctuation, so we don’t know for sure if it was a statement or a question. Music fans seemed to love it, as it became a top 10 hit in America. Today’s Gospel reading, from John, in which Jesus tells us both “I am the bread of life” and “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life” has me thinking of Harrison’s song in terms of a question.
What is life? The secular world has a pretty limited answer to that. Life begins at birth and ends at death. It’s earthbound and centered on the individual in the here and now. That’s it. That’s all you get.
We Christians, however, reject that narrow view vehemently. The trouble is, the secular view is pervasive, and it has for years been encroaching on people’s understanding. The Catholic Church is clear: Life begins at conception. Earthly life ends at natural death. And the goal of this earthly life is to have everlasting life in union with God in heaven.
The secular view seems to be the easier view. Focus on this life, on the here and now, on myself. Dig a little deeper, and you get a more disturbing view. Unexpected pregnancy? No big deal — not born yet, not a life. Do you have something I want – land or things of monetary value? No big deal. I’ll trick you out of it, take it from you, fight you for it or start a war over it. If I’m focused on me, how can you matter?
Jesus tells his followers and the crowds throughout his ministry, that is not the way it’s supposed to be. God sent his only Son to show us the way to the Father: to love as the Father loves, to serve others as Jesus served. “Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” He is what we need. He will raise us on the last day. But we have to choose Him over ourselves.
In the George Harrison song, reading the lyrics lets you know it’s most likely a romantic song, not an existential treatise. But the chorus serves us in this reflection, too. He sings, “Tell me, what is my life without your love; tell me who am I without you by my side.”
Make the “love” the love of God, make the “you” Jesus. Life, then, is our relationship with our God and Savior. That’s where our fullness and completeness lie. That is the life waiting for us. What are we waiting for? Jesus says, “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” Let’s run to Him, over and over and over again.
Daily Reading
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church Reading 1 Acts 14:5-18 There was an attempt in Iconiumby both the Gentiles and the…
Saint of the Day
Saint Catherine of Siena
Saint Catherine of Siena: 14th-century Dominican tertiary, philosopher, theologian, and peacemaker; proclaimed Doctor of the Church and patron saint of Italy.
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