“My house being all quiet now,” wrote St. John of the Cross. Almost all of my family have headed back to their homes. The pitter-patter of little feet has stopped. When we find ourselves alone again, the quiet may reveal something about our relationship with God. We are never really alone.
After Jesus taught his disciples and promised them the Holy Spirit, he prayed. How did Jesus pray? With his eyes open. Looking toward heaven, Jesus prayed to his Father. What did they talk about? Life. John began this gospel with a little phrase: “in him was life.” Now Jesus thanked his Father for granting him the authority to give eternal life.
In his prayer, Jesus defined life in terms of relationship to God. “This is eternal life . . .” What is the secret of life? To know the one true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent. So how is life? When all of our distractions are silent, we discover the truth about our relationship with God. What if there isn’t much there? Take hold of the life that is life. Know God in his truth. Live in vital relationship with the Son.
