"Acquaintances, Friendships, and Family"

These are Three ways that we form relationships with those we meet along the path to our True Home in Heaven.

First, There are many who, sad to say, could refer to thier Relationship with Christ as, an "Acquaintance." These are people that may have various brief encounters with him, or at best work within The Church in His Service. This type of relationship has little or no Investment in the life of the other. And for the most part the time spent with Him is often time spent out of "Necessity."

What a shame it would be if, after having been given Eternal Life through Baptism, we would remain on this level. Going to Mass only on Sundays or when convenient, at Christamas and Easter, as so many do, this is Never going to be a proper response.

After having been offered such A "Divine Intimacy," To respond with such indifference, is no wonder that so many who call themselves "Christian" will sooner follow the ways of the world, finding The Words of Christ to be, "Hard."

Now there are those who seek a "Friendship" with Our Lord, but such a relationship does not demand any sort of "Devotion" to Jesus. This type of relationship, doesn't Require any more than an Appreciation of who they are in relation to my needs as a Friend.

The Key to a True and Honest Relationship with our Beloved Savior, Must, out of Necessity, be one of a "Family," for as Brothers and Sisters of Christ, Sons and Daughters of The Father, we not only Owe a Return of Filial Love, but a Grateful and Humble Love, realizing that we owe EVERYTHING to His Infinite and MERCIFUL Condescension.

I must Therefore rise beyond simply Knowing "Of" Christ as an Acquaintance, and Surpassing beyond that of a "Friend," I must Realize that as an "Offspring" of of a Loving and Affectionate Father, my Life Itself, Being a Gift, should have but One Response;

A Total, Absolute, and an Unconditional Return of Love to my God, Who, Not only Loved me into Existance, but Who Sustains me and by His Infinite Mercy, will one day "Consume me into Eternity."

God Bless you.