Fr. Kevin's Cluttered Desk
July 14, 2024
Have you ever taken the time to reflect on the inheritance offered to us by God, the fullness of the baptismal promises? In Baptism, and again in Confirmation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are marked as God’s beloved children and listed as those who are called to inherit a place in the Kingdom of God. But what might that look like? The first thing to recognize is that we might use the word inherit in our worldly lives, but it is different from how God might use it. In our world today, more often than not, inheritance seems to be an expectation and right and is not always understood as a “pure gift.” For God our inheritance is a pure gift, but it is also a gift that can be lost. In both worldly and heavenly inheritance there are conditions. In our heavenly inheritance we must be born again in Baptism, we must pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus even in the hard times and no matter what the cost, we must be Confirmed and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Our faith and trust in God must be there, it does not have to be perfect or complete, but it must be there. Now having said that, God is above any rule and God chooses as God wills. Still, what are we doing to live in the love of God and how are we picking up our cross every day and following Jesus? There is much argument around the question of ‘can we lose our inheritance?’ Some will argue that it can never be lost but that is not what Jesus teaches, for many will cry out “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?” and Jesus will say “go away from me for I do not know you.” (Matthew 7:20-23). Our reflection on our inheritance should always begin with the question of “is my faith and trust in God bearing good fruit?”
Peace Fr. Kevin
Peace Fr. Kevin
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