When we accept Jesus' gift of life to the full, we are "fertile and multiply" (Gn 1:28). We "fill the earth and subdue it" (Gn 1:28). Those living the abundant life not only fill the earth with people, but also with disciples of Jesus. These disciples will lead people to Jesus, and He will then fill the poor with food and the suffering with healing and love. Thus the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.

We cannot have life to the full without giving our lives to Jesus in Whom "absolute fullness" resides (Col 1:19). We must also love (Eph 5:25), obey, and work for the Church, "which is His body: the fullness of Him Who fills the universe in all its parts" (Eph 1:23). To live life to the full, we repent of our sins and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In this fullness, we share our faith constantly, work for justice to the poor, and oppose artificial contraception and abortion.

Thus, life to the full implies salvation in Christ, repentance, love for the Church, life in the Spirit, purity, justice to the poor, evangelization, fertility, etc. Obviously, many of us don't want life to the full, but only a half-life. Therefore, we must repent and accept the fullness of Jesus' love, even that which we don't understand or want.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 9, 2009

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