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On The Little Apologist Instagram, I'm doing a series on The Sacraments in Scripture, and I wanted to share it with you, as well. Many of our Protestant brothers and sisters find it difficult to understand the concept of the Sacraments, frequently because they do not see the scriptural evidence for them. Most, if not all, non-Catholic or Orthodox Christians believe in Sola Scriptura, which is the belief that all authority comes from Scripture. We know this is only partly True, however, as the Bible itself did not exist as a whole until the 1400s, and it is not what Jesus taught or what the early Church believed! All of that being said, there IS Scriptural evidence for each of the Sacraments in Scripture. In this post, we'll explore what a Sacrament is, the Biblical evidence for them, and then dive into each Sacrament and explore the Scriptural evidence behind them. What is a Sacrament? " Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification" ( Catechism of the Catholic Church 1131). What does this mean? Think of all the instances in Scripture where God uses materials on earth to sanctify, transform, and heal. A woman touched Jesus' garment and was healed (Matthew 9:20-22) Jesus healed someone using dirt and saliva (Mark 8:22-25) We're encouraged to use oil for anointing (James 5:14) A dead man is raised by being touched with the bones of Elisha (2 Kings 13:21) ... and these are just a few examples. "Outward signs": Earthly actions or materials (ie: water, oil, laying on of hands, bread, wine, etc.) "Inward Grace": The effect of the Sacrament (i.e., healing, sanctification, reconciliation, etc.) "Instituted by Christ": We'll get to that part in a moment! "For our sanctification": These outward signs of inward grace are tools and gifts God gives us to help us grow closer to Him in this life so that we can be happy with Him in the next. (Read my post on salvation to learn more about sanctification!) What are the Seven Sacraments? The sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist) are the essential foundations of the Christian life. (CCC 1212) The Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick) heal us in mind, body, and soul and bring us back into communion with God. And the Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Holy Orders and Matrimony) are calls from the Lord to share our love in specific ways. Stay tuned for posts specifically about each of the Seven Sacraments and the Scriptural Evidence behind them!

MEDITATION: Carlo was only 15 years old when he died. A computer genius, soccer player, gamer, dog-lover, and all-around normal teenager, Carlo is known for his heroic virtue in the modern world. He's (going to be!) a Saint because of his devotion to Christ and the Poor and his evangelistic work sharing a database of Eucharistic miracles with the world. Carlo shows us that we can begin to be Saints NOW. No matter how ordinary they may seem, your talents, gifts, and special abilities can be used for good and by God for your sanctification. In Carlo's case, God used his graphic design and programming skills to reach millions with the Truth of the Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Every single aspect of your personality is valuable and intentional. You've been created and designed for a specific mission. Ask the Lord to reveal that mission to you and use you for His purposes. As Christians, specifically Catholics, who have the Lord physically and spiritually living within them, every aspect of our lives must be integrated with our faith. We were not created to be apart from God. Give Him control. Let Him have it all; you, like Carlo, will become a Saint. 😊 QUOTES: Enjoy these quotes from Blessed Carlo! I encourage you to choose one to pray with and meditate upon. " Sadness is looking at ourselves, happiness is looking towards God." "To be always united with Jesus, this is my plan of life." "By standing before the Eucharistic Christ, we become holy." "Our soul is like a hot air balloon. If by chance there is a mortal sin, the soul falls to the ground. Confession is like the fire underneath the balloon, enabling the soul to rise again… It is important to go to confession often." "The Eucharist is the highway to heaven." "Do not be afraid because with the Incarnation of Jesus, death becomes life, and there’s no need to escape: in eternal life, something extraordinary awaits us." PRODUCTS: CATHOLIC JEWELRY BOX Carlo Acutis - Blessed Sacrament/monstrance - double sided medal - beaded red and white necklace Shop here! Use code COLLEEN for a discount. IGNATIUS PRESS Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers Buy three get one Free! - Ignatius Press ... and there are SO many more!! RESOURCES: Official website of Blessed Carlo Acutis (in English) Send your prayer requests to the Association for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis Carlo's Eucharistic Miracle Website/Exhibit Christ Stefanik Interview with Carlo's mother

Our Catholic faith is not segmented and compartmentalized—it should not be kept only to Sunday mornings. Rather, it ought to be the driving force behind everything we do and say. Our faith should take precedence over every other factor in all decisions we make. This raises the question- how should Catholics decide whom to vote for? First of all, we must identify our nation's predominant issues: poverty, the economy, education, immigration, and healthcare. We can talk all we want about these big, abstract concepts, but until we begin to focus on the individual people who make up our Nation, none of those larger concepts even matter. The Church has no political party. The Church is the Body fo Christ. What we vote in favor of must align with the values and teachings of Jesus and what will most benefit the members of the Body, most especially those who cannot defend themselves. to feed the hungry to give drink to the thirsty to clothe the naked to give shelter to travelers to visit the sick to visit the imprisoned to bury the dead . Every single issue fades when the very lives of the most vulnerable are at stake and being destroyed day by day. "How should Catholics vote if neither candidate is pro-life?" When we, as is the case in this election cycle, have no option to vote for a pro-life candidate, the following considerations must be made: 1. We cannot directly vote for any law expanding access to abortion . “In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law, or vote for it” ( Evangelium Vitae , 73). This section of Evangelium Vitae is particularly interesting because it is so very explicit about what is and is not permitted! While this does not directly apply to those of us who are not lawmakers, we certainly have a say in electing the people who vote against and in favor of our laws, and we must be careful not to promote or support candidates who support such laws, and call them out using phone calls, letters, emails, etc. when they make a decision that directly goes against the protection of human life. 2. We cannot vote for a candidate because of their support for abortion. This is kind of a no-brainer. No one of any religion or background should be voting in favor of or promoting unnatural death at any stage and for any reason (The most common issue of this type in the USA is abortion.) It is a grave sin to do so. Voting for a candidate because of their policies in favor of abortion, euthanasia, or the death penalty is sinful. 3. Even if the candidate's other policies are "good," we still cannot vote for them if doing so will cause danger and destruction of human life , which is so much more precious than anything else on the ballot. Even if you align with one political party on most issues, you cannot vote for "your party's" candidate if they are in favor of wider access to the destruction of human life. Now, what about in the case of this election year? As we've learned, we cannot, as Catholics, in good conscience, vote for a candidate who is so clearly outspoken about and in favor of expanded abortion access. When one candidate is highly in favor of abortion, and the other is in favor of abortion, but to a lesser degree or amount of time, as is the case with Harris and Trump, with Kamala in favor of unrestricted abortion access and Trump in favor of abortion only in the early stages of pregnancy and with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, we must vote for the candidate whose policies and beliefs will bring us closer and closer to making abortion unthinkable and unavailable, so that women, children, and families are safe. Sadly, in this year's election, neither candidate is pro-life. Both are in favor of abortion at varying levels. Harris is in favor of unrestricted access to abortion, and Trump is in favor of abortion in the early weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. So we must pray. Pray for the mercy of God for whoever is elected, that they will have a change of heart and come to see the horrible truth of abortion, and pray for our nation, and pray that the lives of all people will one day be protected, valued, and cared for in our nation.

Picture this. You walk into your Newman Center, and a few minutes later everyone gets up all at once and starts to walk in the same direction. "What's going on?" you ask, quite confused, "Does everyone but me have class right now?" you think to yourself. Your friend turns around. "We're going to Mass... Wanna come??" You follow, confused. It's not Sunday, is it? Many Catholics, even those who have been Catholic for their entire lives, do not know that Mass takes place on a daily basis. Thousands -probably even millions- of Catholics, attend Mass every day around the entire world. But why? Don't we only have to go on Sundays? Well, yes. But, if you want to spend eternity with Jesus, wouldn't you want to spend as much time with Him as possible here on earth? Daily Mass is so beautiful because: (1) we receive Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. What could possibly be better than that!! (2) We read and hear the Word of God proclaimed and broken open, and meditate upon it. Fun fact: if you went to Mass every single day for three years straight, you will have read the entirety of the Bible! (3) We are unified as a Church. Daily Mass is a reminder to us of the universality of the Church, both in our own communities and the world. It's so beautiful to gather each day, knowing that Catholics all around the world are doing the same! (4) We are rejuvenated and set on fire for Christ. Daily Mass, whenever it takes place throughout the day, provides and opportunity for prayer and to center our minds and hearts on the Lord and His will for us in the day. If you're interested in attending daily Mass, contact your local parish, or if youre a college student, your Newman Center (or other Catholic campus ministry) and they'll give you all the details 🤗

These are some of my favorite books that have helped me learn how to share and defend the Catholic faith. Happy reading! The New American Bible (or any Catholic Bible Translation!): You can't defend the Word of God without knowing the Word of God. It's that simple! The Catechism of the Catholic Church : A complete summary of everything the Catholic Church teaches. Truly a gold mine of knowledge, and one that many people don't even know exists! A Daily Defense by Jimmy Akin : 365 days of answers to the most commonly asked questions about Catholicism. This book is always super helpful to me (and who doesn't love Jimmy Akin?!) Persuasive Pro-Life by Trent Horn : In my opinion, this is THE BEST pro-life apologetics book out there. This book is what got me passionate about pro-life advocacy! Trent Horn tackles the probllem of abortion from all sides- scientific, moral, and spiritual- with compassion and a zeal for Truth. The Bible is a Catholic Book by Jimmy Akin : Again, you can't go wrong with Jimmy! This book is a super comprehensive and easy to read guide to Catholic teaching about the Bible as well as the history of the Word of God. How to Share Your Faith with Anyone by Terry Barber : This is the first evangelization book that I can remember reading. I think I read it in one sitting. It's truly, as it's cover states, "A practical manual for Catholic Evangelization" What are your favorite apologetics and evangelization books? Tell me in the comments!

With IVF frequently in the headlines, it's essential to understand the ethical dilemmas it presents, and know how to answer when people ask you, "Why are Catholics opposed to IVF?" Many people- even many other Christians- do not understand why IVF is immoral. If it helps couples who struggle with infertility to have children, it should be a good thing, right? IVF dissociates procreation from unification; dominates using technology and “sterile” techniques, strips the marital act of its perfection; deprives children and parents of their dignity; and causes the death of thousands of unborn children each year. Those concieved via IVF, whether they are born or unborn, are precious children of God, loved into being by their ultimate creator, deserving and worthy of respect and dignity, even at the moment of conception. They are the primary reason why we stand against IVF. The most universal moment- one that every single human being ever has and ever will experience- that of conception, has been stripped of its sacredness, beauty, and dignity. This seperation of unity from creation lies at the heart of the immorality of IVF. The men and women who choose to use IVF often are not aware of it's devastating effects, and are using it as a last resort to cure their infertility. However, there are many, wonderful physicians who will work with and help couples who hope to concieve a child naturally- the way that God intended- without the devastating physical and mental consequences for both the children and parents. You can learn more about these doctors and their work at https://naprotechnology.com/ and https://fertilitycare.org/ You can use the infographic below to brush up on your understanding of IVF and why Catholics should not and cannot be in support of it. Leave your thoughts and questions below!

With tomorrow being the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary and a Holy Day of Obligation, i thought it would be fitting to discuss what a Holy Day of Obligation is, how Catholics are to observe them, and what our "obligation" truly is. "What is a Holy Day of Obligation?" So we know that we are all obligated as Catholics to attend Mass on Sundays, right? Holy Days of Obligations are solemnities in the Church calendar that the Bishops have said are to be treated with the same obligation as a Sunday Mass. This means that we are to treat those days as days of rest as well as attend the Holy Mass on those days, as we would on Sundays. "What are the Holy Days of Obligation?" In The United States... January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary November 1, the solemnity of All Saints December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ "What should I do on a Holy Day of Obligation?" Treat it like a Sunday! Of course, work might not be unavoidable due to a job or school, but you should aim to make it a day of rest in other ways, as well as attend Mass. If you wish to go further, you could learn about the solemnity being celebrated, make special meals that relate to the solemnity, or take the day off of work or school to make it a true day of rest. "I can't make it to Mass because of my job. What should I do?" Try your hardest to plan ahead to have the day or shift off on Holy Days of Obligation so that you can attend Mass. If this is not possible, aim to find a Mass the day before or at a different time. Many parishes offer both morning and evening Mass times. If you still cannot make it to any of the Mass times being offered, know that God knows your heart and is merciful and would not hold your lack of attendance against you if you truly tried and could not make it to Mass. "I have a sports practice during the Mass time. Can I miss Mass?" Sports are extracurricular activities and should not take precedence over Mass. It would be considered religous discrimination for a coach to treat you differently or punish you in any way if you miss a practice due to a religous event. The same is true for any school- they cannot count your abscence against you if it was for religous obligations! Your diocese or parish can help you if a school or coach gives you issues for missing class or sports events. "My parents take me to Mass on Sundays but we don't go on Holy Days of Obligation. What should I do?" Start by respectfully explaining to your parents why you all, as Catholics, need to attend Mass on Holy Days of Obliation. If they still will not take you; it would be best to try to get to Mass by some other means if you have their permission, whether it be public transportation, driving yourself if you have a driver's license, or taking public transportation if you are allowed.   If you have tried all of those things and still have no way of getting to Mass, then it would not be sinful for you not to attend. Your parents would be culpable in this scenario, but not you, since you wanted to attend Mass and had the intention of doing so, but were unable to be there.  What other questions do you have about Holy Days of Obligation? Drop them in the comments below! Wishing you a Blessed solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary tomorrow... and don't forget to go to Mass! 😉

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) once said, "Anyone who seeks truth seeks God, whether or not He realizes it." When we seek the Truth, beautiful things happen. Saint Teresa Benedicta knew this well, and even experienced it herself. She came from a Jewish background, but was a self-proclaimed atheist. Her studies of philosophy led her to the Church where she devoted her life to Christ, eventually dying a martyr's death in 1942. Stop for a moment and think about this. If someone is truly seeking to know the Truth about humanity, the world, how we ought to live, etc. what will they ultimately come to? God. The Truth. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) Without God, there is no truth, because God is truth itself. This is why science points to the existence of God. Philosophy points to the existence of God. The human body points to the existence of God. Nature points to the existence of God. Everything that is good,true, and beautiful points back to God. And once we realze this, is it enough to simply recognize it in the world around us? No. Truth is all consuming. Once one truly realizes the Truth they cannot help but devote themselves entirely to the pursuit of it! And where will this lead? Jesus. And where does Jesus lead? His Church. Truth Leads to the Catholic Church, which holds the fullness of Truth in Jesus Christ, fully and truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist. There is no other religion in the world that claims to have God as its founder. Truth as its founder. No other religion or Christian denomination can claim this, because only one Church was literally created by God. This probably sounds insane, I know. Like I've taken this too far. But if God is Truth, and God started a Church, then that Church is the one, TRUE Church because it was founded by the God of the universe, who is literally Truth itself!! 1 Timothy 3:15 even confirms this... "if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." God's household is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. When one seeks the Truth, they will ultimatley always be led back to the foundation of Truth, whether or not they even realize it! And there are so many beautiful examples of this happening in our world today. Think of Scott Hahn. Trent Horn. Jimmy Akin. Tim Staples... and so many more! In history, Saint Augustine of Hippo has one of the most widely cited conversions. He sought the Truth, turned his life around by the grace of God, and went on to be one of the world's most notable theologians! If you’re on a journey to discover the Truth, I encourage you to look to Christ. Invite Him to guide you and reveal the way. Find peace in His presence, knowing that He embodies Truth itself. By following Him, you will remain close to the Truth you seek.

One of the most frequent questions that Catholics are asked is "Why do you worship Saints?" (Spoiler alert: We don't!) This post will cover some of the most commonly asked questions about Saints and help you to know and answer questions about what the Church ACTUALLY teaches! Q: “How can you say that you don’t worship Saints if you’re praying to them?” A: The book of James 5:16 says, “The prayer of the righteous person is very powerful.” Those in Heaven (the Saints) are obviously righteous. Asking the Saints to pray for us is no different from asking a devout friend to pray for us, too.   Q: “Aren’t you praying to dead people? Isn’t that a sin?” A: Death has been defeated by Christ’s Ressurection! Therfore, those in Heaven (The Saints) are eternally alive! Q: “Who are your favorite Saints?” A: Saint Ann is my namesake (my middle name is Annette). Saint Gianna Molla is my Confirmation Saint. I have a special devotion to Saint Therese, Pope Sant John Paul II, and Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi. Q: “How do people become Saints?” A: Simply speaking, anyone who is in Heaven is a Saint. However, we do not refer to all people who are in Hevaen with the title of “saint.” Those who are called “saint” are those whom the Church has investigated and who have found to have lived a heroically virtuous life or died as a martyr, and miracles have occured through their intercession (ie: Someone asked the saint to pray for their intention and it miraculously was granted. This is considered reasonable evidence that the person is in Heaven interceding for us on earth). Q: “What is a patron Saint?” A: A patron Saint is one who you have a particularly strong devotion to and who intercedes on your behalf. This could be your Confirmation Saint; a Saint you were named after; or just a Saint who you have a strong connection to because of their life or what they traditioanlly intercede for.  Countries, causes, schools, churches, and even many hobbies, sports, and careers all have patron saints as well.  Check the Instagram Page, @the_little_apologist, to ask more questions and view even more fun content about the Saints and the Church. As always, please feel free to drop any questions you have in the comments or in the email form on the home page.

One of the world’s most recognized sets of laws are the Ten Commandments. Christians, Muslims, and the Jewish people all follow, at their core, the commandments that God gave to Moses for His people. In our increasingly secular world where relativism runs rampant and people think they can do whatever they want without any consequences to their actions, it’s so important for us, as Christians, to know how we are called to live and why! My campus minister and friend, Father Stephen, often refers to the Ten Commandments as the “guide rails” that God has set in place for humanity. Think of guide rails on the side of the highway. When one stays inside the guide rails, they are safe. If, however, you try to go outside of the guide rails, you’re sure to crash. The guide rails aren’t meant to keep you from something  good,  but rather to keep you from a path of destruction and, ultimately, death.   Let’s examine each commandment, its meaning, and how it helps us stay “inside the guide rails.” By the way, the Ten Commandments come from Exodus chapter 20. The commandments in Exodus 20 vary slightly from the list of Commandments in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (below) due to translations as well as the combining and pairing of Commandments throughout history. Please reach out if you'd like more information about this! THE TEN COMMANDMENTS I am the Lord your God: You shall not have strange Gods before me. It's pretty straightforward: Keep God at the center of your life. Everything else—money, power, career, people, and material things—comes after. When God is at the center of our lives, everything else falls into its proper place. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Our words should be lifegiving- promoting beauty, goodness, and truth in all circumstances. Building up instead of tearing down. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day. Attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. Before the Resurection, the Sabbath day was Saturday for the Jewish people. Since the Resurrection occurred on a Sunday, it is the holiest day of the week and the day that God’s people are called to come together in worship. In addition to this, God created us in such a way that we were not created to work non- stop! That being said, we are called to rest on Sundays, to care for God, our families, and the bodies and minds that He gave us. Honor your father and mother. Our parents and those in authority over us are gifts from God and are to be respected and honored. This does not mean that they are perfect, or that we must always do as they say if it goes against God’s Law, but that we ought to have respect for and pray for them. You shall not kill. We are to honor and love one another, recognizing the beauty and dignity of human life. This means treating one another physically, verbally, and emotionally in a way that uplifts and encourages them instead of tearing them down. This also applies to our own body, mind, and soul. You shall not commit adultery. Human sexuality is a gift from God. We are to respect the dignity of the male and female bodies and their distinct differences and beauty, and reserve the sexual act for marriage, as it was designed. You shall not steal. Our time, talent, money, and material goods are gifts from God and ought not be wasted or taken if belonging to another. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor Our words ought to reflect the truth and not be embellished or made up if they will harm someone else. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. God has called us to our present circumstances and Vocations. We should be content in our circumstances and aim to love as best we can without being envious of others. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. Everything we have is a gift from God- our material wealth, our circumstances, etc. Comparing what we have to others only harms our own emotional state and fosters a spirit of jealousy.   By looking at each commandment, we see that they are not restrictive but rather life-giving and preserving. They uphold the dignity of every human person, promote gratitude for the gifts God has given us, and help us to keep the Lord at the center of our lives. When discussing the Ten Commandments with someone, it’s important to emphasize the love of God and the true gift of the commandments. After all, what good and loving Father would not want to provide guard rails for His children on their way home? 😉

Do you like mysteries? I used to love to read Nancy Drew books when I was younger and my dad would read my brother and I the Hardy Boys books before bed. I was at a bookstore last week and found a bunch of the older copies of the Nancy Drew books! Now that I'm a little bit older, the mysteries get more predictable as I read more of them. Lately, I've been watching Monk on Netflix, and that keeps me entertained! 😂 The Catholic faith is one of mysteries. It's no secret that our God and His ways are mysterious and beautiful- beyond our comprehension. The Holy Trinity is one of these mysteries of our faith that people have wrestled with since the beginning of Christianity. The basic premise is this... God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit are all one, united in love and being. They are distinct, but are one at the same time. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it best... "The Incarnation of God's Son reveals that God is the eternal Father and that the Son is consubstantial with the Father, which means that, in the Father and with the Father the Son is one and the same God. The mission of the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in the name of the Son (Jn 14:26) and by the Son "from the Father" (Jn 15:26), reveals that, with them, the Spirit is one and the same God. "With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified" (Nicene Creed). "The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father as the first principle and, by the eternal gift of this to the Son, from the communion of both the Father and the Son" (St. Augustine, De Trin. 15, 26, 47: PL 42, 1095)." (CCC 262-264) To break it down even further... God the Father and God the Son are the same God. The Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, is also one and the same God. The Holy Spirit is the gift of love and unity between the Father and the Son- their spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in relation with one another, but at the same time, are all one being. Think of it this way... You and I are people. Everything that is living exists, but it is not necessarily a distinct person. A rock, flower, tree, and snail are not "people." However, you and I are each one individual person, simply by our human nature. God, in His nature, is three persons who are all united as one. This is a really complicated concept to grasp- not predictable like Nancy Drew! 😂 So to help with that, I've compiled a list of articles that might help to explain further the mystery of the Trinity: How Can I Explain the Trinity to Someone Unfamiliar with Christianity? How to Teach Elementary School Students About the Trinity? (Jimmy Akin uses the "people" analogy I used in this article!) Resources for Learning about the Nature of the Trinity These articles are from Catholic Answers and can help explain more! It's also important to note that we don't NEED to understand everything in order to believe. We won't ever fully understand the beauty, unity, and mystery of the Trinity, but with faith in God, we can trust that His revelation of Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is good, true, and beautiful. If you have more questions about this concept, feel free to comment or send me questions on the blog's home page.

Many people ask themselves, “I believe there’s a God. Isn’t that enough?” Well, sure. That’s great. God exists. Most of us know that. But why go further? Why be a Christian? Why believe that Heaven and Hell exist? Why sacrifice pleasure and comfort in this life simply to have the possibility of Heaven? You may be familiar with the well-known philosophical argument known as Pascal’s Wager. Pascal, a seventeenth-century French mathematician and philosopher, wrote: “Let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God is. Let us estimate these two chances. If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation that He is.” To bring this into the Christian perspective: If you live your life as a Christian, and Heaven is real, then all of your life and sacrifices were worth it! If you did not, and Heaven is real, then you will have chosen to reject or accept God, choosing Heaven or hell. If however, you lived as a Christian, and Heaven is not real, at least you lived a healthy, happy, morally upright life. If you did not live as a Christian and Heaven is not real, then you lose nothing. So, it is better to assume that Heaven is real and live as a Christian because it provides you with the best possible outcome. There is literally nothing to lose!! If you live for God, you lose nothing and gain everything. Beauty, goodness, and truth are the fruits of living one’s life for God. What do you have to lose? If you are not yet a Christian, not yet living your life for God, why is that? I’d love to hear your story. God bless you! Colleen