Ad Destinatum | Toward the Goal

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" — Philippians 3:14 (ESV) 

My beloved sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus. Generally, we pursue happiness or something profitable for ourselves. Hardly, we pursue anything which will lead us lose our way or invite destruction into our life. Saint Paul also felt this thing. He felt something unfulfilled in his life. Therefore, he pushed to pursue the special thing so that God's call be perfect in his life. 

In the spirit of humility and full awareness of his imperfect life, Saint Paul strived to keep looking forward for achieving the perfection in God only. His dark past time was a wise teacher to fill the new pages of his life, after he was caught by Jesus. He realized that God's love always accompanies and guides him in carrying out the mission of God. 

Although he had to be imprisoned and face his death, he felt and understood everything that was going on in his life as the part of his mission. Just as Jesus, his Master and Lord, who had suffered and died on the cross, he was ready for suffering. Thus, the resurrection of Jesus was a satisfying hope to him that after all his sufferings as Jesus' disciple, he would certainly reach everlasting salvation. For all people, it was the highest goal. He himself ran for and chased the special gift that was an eternal happiness in the heavenly kingdom. Therefore, his life was directed at that special gift and by full sacrifice he sought to obtain it. 

My beloved sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus, our dark past is not the end of a happy future. Everything can change, if we want to. God will help everyone who wants to renew his or her life. Our past could be a wise teacher in life, so that we won't be dragged into the same fault. If we focus on the past only especially a dark one, we can be trapped inside it and fall into a long time regret. 

God wants a renewal of life in which we can learn day by day. God is able to straighten the curve lines of our life. It is the manifestation of God's love for us. He, who has promised the eternal salvation, gives hopes that we can achieve it. By looking forward, we are asked to keep trying to obtain that special gift. Saint Paul even invites us to run and pursue it. 

My beloved sisters and brothers, stay focused on the highest purpose of our life, which is being united with God, so that we will enjoy the happiness in God's kingdom. By doing righteousness and love in our life, we will live faithfully in God's light which helps and directs us to the highest purpose of our life – the prize of God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on Philippians 3:12-16 by Fr. Victory D. Lianain 

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