"Don't just get a life, but get a greater life,"  Bp. Carlito Cortes gave such a provoking message during the Opening Mass of the SFC ICON in Tagbiliran City, Bohol this afternoon. "Not just a quality life, this is not the promise of the Lord to us, but life to the full," the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu explained further.

For those curious to find out just how a "life to the full" can be had, Bp. Cortes explained that all we need to do is to follow Mary's path -- listening to and responding to God's Word.

Bp. Cortes talked about two distinct moments:

- The moment of the Word 

- The moment of our response to the Word 

 Mary poured herself totally out in response to the invitation of the Father to be Jesus' mother to the Savior. When she said 'yes', she became full of grace (gratia plena) because she was empty for the Lord.

To have this full life, we are also called to be empty first so that we can be filled. "We are challenged to empty ourselves...of all the baggage weighing us down. Empty ourselves of pride, lust, ambition," Bp. Cortes said.  

As a closing note, Bp. Cortes dared the delegates, “Allow Jesus to further transform you. Go to unchartered regions, where only one thing is certain -- the fidelity of the Father.”

He said that if we find ourselves praying, “let this cup pass from me”, do not be afraid because this is the same path Jesus took. [Nirva'ana Delacruz, SFC ICON Interactive Team]  

Photos available at SFC Global Facebook