A Plan Of Loving Goodness....

“There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1

Our God, who made heaven and earth, is in control even in disordered times. This passage in Scripture about an appointed time for everything on earth is noteworthy.  I recently prepared material to facilitate an Adult Formation Class on the topics of our salvation, God’s justice and the question: “Once saved, always saved?” 

God’s desire is that we know him with complete confidence and accuracy.  Throughout history and Sacred Scripture, God has revealed himself with offerings of great hope.  He provides all that is necessary for our salvation, which includes forgiveness of serious sin.  However, the grace he offers for us is never in opposition to our human freedom.  “God has fully revealed this plan by sending us his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church 50)

We must be watchful that our selfish free choices do not separate us from God’s gift of mercy and grace.  Some Christians interpret passages of Scripture to mean that once salvation is accepted by faith, it is “eternally secured,” even if the believers fall into habitual grave sin.  There are certain passages in Sacred Scripture that make it clear---bad choices can disqualify us from participation in God’s life.

Our challenge today is to live by God’s plan for the world.  Our culture has an attitude that “if it feels good do it”, which is revealed all around us.  St. Paul knew the importance of persevering in faith, as he wrote to the people in Corinth. 

“I do not run aimlessly, I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for the fear that having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” –1 Cor 9:26-27

How do you prepare for the duty of being a soldier for Christ?

We have a lot of work to do in bringing others to Christ.  Civility seems to be a lost virtue in our society, and the disharmony creates a war of words.  St. Augustine defined peace as ‘the tranquility of order’. “Lord, may I know myself and may I know You!”  We will only know peace if our lives are ordered in union with our body and soul, our intellect, will and passions, no matter how difficult life around us may be.  We are not only people of this world; we are citizens of heaven, in the Kingdom of God!

I pray for three specific needs every day. 

• I pray that all people will grow to understand that they are created in the image and likeness of God – a temple of the Holy Spirit.  Then, there would be happy people taking care of themselves with less disease and sickness. 
• I pray that people will appreciate the gift of grace that is offered so freely in the Sacraments.  Then, there would be an ordered world of hopeful, stronger people of faith. 
• I pray that those who receive the Eucharist will truly understand they are receiving the  true presence of Christ – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Then, there would be more joyful people at every offering of the Holy Mass.  

If every baptized Catholic truly embraced these amazing gifts from God, the fellowship of believers would be leading the world with peace!  Now is the appointed time for us to reveal God’s plan of goodness!  Citizens of heaven don’t let the world distract you!  Amen!