Christina M. Sorrentino resides in the Archdiocese of New York, and is a Catholic freelance writer, high school theology teacher, and author of the books Belonging to Christ and Called to Love - A Listening Heart. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Ignitum Today and has contributed to various faith-based publications including Word on Fire, Missio Dei, Catholic Exchange, and Homiletic & Pastoral Review. She has also appeared on Sacred Heart Radio and the How They Love Mary Podcast, and has been featured in the National Catholic Register's "Best in Catholic Blogging". You can visit her website at Called to Love - A Listening Heart, or follow her on Twitter.

Below is an excerpt from the Introduction of Christina’s latest book, Belonging to Christ:

“There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.”

Saint John Vianney

How can I have an intimate relationship with Christ that allows me to truly understand the plans He has for me? How will I be able to know, love, and serve Him in this world and be happy with Him; united with His Father and the Holy Spirit, forever in Heaven? What can I do to be able to listen to the voice of the Lord?

Embracing Christ

The Son of God is my Savior. He is my true Beloved, the One who gave up His life for me by suffering on the Cross so that I can spend eternity with the Triune God in paradise. As the Son having two natures; He is both true God and true man. And He is always present to me in my life as a millennial Catholic woman. I experience His love, consolation, and compassion by choosing to spend time in His Divine embrace. I remain with Him in the peace and serenity gifted to me by His Holy Presence.

The Eucharist, the Body Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, His crucified, resurrected, and glorified Body, becomes my refuge of safety. In the silence, I can share my concerns,  frustrations, sadness, pain, joy, and happiness with Jesus. In return, He wraps me in His love. He helps me to strengthen my relationship with Him as I embrace the sacredness of these precious moments. This is His holy kiss from heaven on earth. I am His and He is mine.

We are called to have a Divine Romance with our beloved Spouse, to become ignited with the desire to completely empty our heart of self, and to fill it whole and entirely with God alone. We are all called to a life of holiness; to be united in heart, mind, and soul, with the Bridegroom who waits for His bride as she prepares herself to become spotless and without blemish.

Our vocation to love means that we surrender more and more of ourselves each day by letting go of the things that prevent us from becoming closer to the Lord. We should not focus solely on the vices that create a barrier between us and Christ, but rather keep our eyes fixed in a heavenly gaze on the virtues that we hope to attain as to one day be able to see the Lord Face to face. It is by partaking in the Paschal Banquet, and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that we grow in holiness and intimacy with our Lord.

My Life Belongs to Christ

I know I cannot live without Jesus, nor would I ever have the desire to live without Him. I would be nothing without Him. Life without Christ at the center would mean going through the motions without any purpose or reason. When there is happiness and joy, who would I be able to thank? During the times I am confronted with challenges and difficulties, when I fall, who will be there to catch me? When I am sad and in a state of grief, who will be there to console me?

He is why I live my life. Jesus is always the Light in any darkness. And it is in the Catholic Church with the Blessed Sacrament that Jesus is always present to me and to all of us. It is in the tabernacle in every single Catholic Church around the world that He waits for us to visit Him. His Love for us radiates from His Most Sacred Heart. It is up to us to accept His Love and to love Him in return. The sanctuary lamp burns brightly, reminding us that Jesus is always present to us.

The collection of poetry in this book I hope can inspire you to share in the desire to want to have a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Christ. If you have been away from the Church, please, know that Jesus loves you and is waiting for you.

There is nothing you have done that cannot be forgiven by Christ, and He is longing for the day to offer you pardon for your sins in the beautiful sacrament of Confession. He wants to forgive you, if you let Him. The Son of God wants you to receive Him in the Eucharist; His most intimate expression of Love that He gives us on this earth; the gift of Himself.

 --- Christina M. Sorrentino

You can purchase Christina M. Sorrentino’s latest book, Belonging to Christ, on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Belonging-Christ-Catholic-Christina-Sorrentino/dp/B09JJGSR2V