Of all the people who have lived in our planet, the earth, JESUS CHRIST, I believe, is the Most Outstanding Person that requires some serious consideration from every human being who has been apprised of His existence.
For us Christians we have been told of some extraordinary events in the life of Christ, namely, His Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. The two last events (Resurrection and Ascension) are unique to Christ, for no other person has ever risen from the dead and ascended into heaven.
As a Christian my faith in Christ is based on the teachings of the Catholic Church which originated from the apostles. The veracity of these teachings have been validated by the life witnessing of some persons who have been canonized as Saints, as well as by some miraculous events in places like Lourdes at France, Guadalupe at Mexico and Fatima at Portugal.
To simplify my Faith I have asked myself a few questions.
First, “WHO IS CHRIST?”
This was answered by Peter when Christ Himself asked the question: “Who do you say I am?” Peter then answered: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16)
Second, “WHY DID CHRIST BECOME MAN?”
This is the Mystery of Christ which is called “INCARNATION” – Christ, Who is God, becomes a Man. Why? The answer is given in John 3:16 which says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life.” Furthermore, Christ said in John 10:10: “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.”
Third, “WHAT IS THIS ETERNAL LIFE, AND HOW DO WE RECEIVE IT?”
Eternal life, I believe, is the Life of God Himself – the Divine Life. Ordinarily, this participation in the divine life of God is given to someone who gets baptized through the Sacrament of Baptism. In this sacrament one professes faith in Christ either personally or thru a representative, a parent or sponsor. We are told, however, that for one who may not have heard about Christ but who longs to do God’s Will may also be blessed with this divine life thru the so-called ‘Baptism of Desire’. Likewise, for one who gives up his life for Christ’s sake, may also be blessed with this divine life thru the so-called ‘Baptism of Blood’.
Fourth, “WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF RECEIVING THE DIVINE LIFE?”
Receiving the Divine Life makes one an adopted Child of God, or another Christ. This is precisely what Christ would want all men to be – to be like Him, live like Him, so as to attain the Destiny that God has planned for them, which is “to be happy with Him for all eternity”.
Fifth, “WHAT THEN DOES IT MEAN TO BE ANOTHER CHRIST?”
To be another Christ means to be a Disciple of Christ. And Christ said: “If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and come follow Me.” (Lk. 9:23). He further said: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6)
These reflections tell me that my life can only be meaningful if I become another Christ, a Child of God. To be a child of God means to be always ready to do the Will of God at any cost, even at the cost of giving up ones life, if necessary. It means a total surrender of oneself to the Will of God. It means allowing Christ to live and reign in oneself, just as St. Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
This, therefore, is what the Mystery of Christ means for me – the Mystery of becoming Another Christ – a Child of God – so as to be happy with God forever.
By: Salvador B. Cagurangan
July 19, 2009
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