The first reading teaches that God did not create us to be only worldly beings. We are like God in that we will never end. That is the "image" of the "image and likeness". We are created to be with God for all eternity which means that we will become part of God's time. We will not be aware of this "Time" for we will see God as he really is and will so be the complete "image and Likeness". The Devil however has other plans for us and never ceases to try to take from us God's gift of Life. We need to use this earthly life in the service of God by being aware of him and loving him by following his commandments. We are not abandoned to do this on our own. Jesus is always with us and has infinite mercy to spread throughout the billions of humans who have ever lived and our now living. God knows us all and tells us to bend our will to the Truth he reveals to us in his creation. Jesus has brought the Saints to heaven even now. Heaven is not "another country" but is the living "Communion of Saints" led by Our Lady. We are saved. But we must actively participate in that redemption given to us by the torture of the Cross and the "sword piercing the heart" of the witness Mother of God.

Dear Lord, I pray that this today I will remain free of sin and be consistent in thoughts and deeds.