FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2022
(Part 8)
BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS
October 27, 2021
Today’s reading:
Romans 8:26-30
Psalm 13:4-6
Luke 13:22-30
As the people of God, we are blessed beyond bounds. How can it be otherwise, when the One blessing is God Himself? As God is eternal and not bound by space and time, so too are His blessings upon His chosen ones. And so we rightfully praise Him: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt bountifully with me!” (Ps 13:6c).
What in fact has God done for us? “For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.” (Rom 8:29-30). What did God do for us? He foreknew, predestined, called, justified and glorified us. Each of these actions are great mysteries, befitting an Omnipotent God.
God foreknew us. This is about election. Before the beginning of the world, before our creation, God already knew us and had a plan for us. This is why we pray without ceasing, so that we can properly discern and take on God’s intent for us. And even when we have difficulty praying, especially for what is truly God’s will, God Himself helps us, as “the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings …. according to God’s will.” (Rom 8:26-27).
God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. This is about destiny. His design is that we become just like Him, as indeed we were created in His image and likeness.
God called us. This is about vocation. We are to live our lives in Christ. This a life of righteousness. When we respond to our calling, then “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28). All things. This is why we respond by giving thanks in all circumstances.
God justified us. This is about justification and sanctification. In Jesus and by His grace, God removed our guilt, condemnation and penalty of sin. This is why we say, “I trust in your mercy” (Ps 13:6a). God has set us apart, to be made holy and sacred in Him.
God glorified us. This is about eternal life in heaven. We are a people who have been saved, who are being saved, and who will be saved. “Grant my heart joy in your salvation” (Ps 13:6b). This is why we rejoice always.
Now here is the tragedy. God has His plan and will for us. But many do not realize what God has done for them, what God expects of them, and so do not live according to His ways. God’s desire, that all be saved, can be thwarted. We ask, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Lk 13:23). Probably so. Will few people enter into eternal life? Jesus himself says, “many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” (Lk 13:24b). “And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.” (Lk 13:28). How tragic!
Why would this be so? Well Jesus tells us to “strive to enter through the narrow door” (Lk 13:24a). But many choose the wide road to perdition. And here is the further tragedy. There will be those who think they will make it to heaven but won’t. They will say, “We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.” (Lk 13:26). These will include those who eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist but live evil lives. These will include those who hear the word and teaching of Christ but do not live these out in their lives. And so Jesus will tell them, “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!” (Lk 13:27).
How truly tragic. God foreknew them but now the Son of God says he does not know them. God predestined them to be conformed to the image of His Son, to be sanctified and holy, but they chose to be evildoers. God intended for them to live eternally with Him in heaven, to “recline at table in the kingdom of God” (Lk 13:29b), but now Jesus tells them to depart from him.
Let not such tragedy befall us. Let us then continue to pray without ceasing: “Give light to my eyes lest I sleep in death” (Ps 13:4b).
