(Audio)
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
We are given to Jesus by the Father that we may be saved and have eternal life. We are joined to Jesus in baptism. It is here that we are first given by the Father and received by and into Jesus. As Jesus receives us and makes us a part of himself he is already submerging us in the grace of his death and resurrection. In baptism we are buried with him into death. It is a death we could do nothing to merit. In fact, we receive it while we are still enemies. It is only his death and resurrection that can make us friends.
Indeed, if, while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son,
how much more, once reconciled,
will we be saved by his life.
There is much transformation that we still require after baptism. But baptism shows us the unshakable nature of the promises we have received. All that is necessary for our redemption and sanctification is already present not because of anything we have done but simply because he decides to love us.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
The LORD refreshes us with the waters of baptism. He feeds us with the bread of eternal life. He himself is the source of strength who makes us able to walk through the dark valley and assures us that we make it to the other side.
Our own sinfulness sometimes seems so monumental. It seems like we will never be sanctified so sufficiently as to be made fit to be citizens of heaven. How will we ever love so perfectly, to delight in worship so completely, to surrender ourselves so thoroughly? Jesus reminds us that it isn't all about us, in the end. It is about his promise. And so if we, like most people, aren't completely sanctified in this present life, even so Jesus won't let us slip out of his hand. Even so his promise of love is good and endures. As long as we don't turn back through mortal sin Jesus will ensure that the transformation we need happens.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
The fire of God's holiness will consume the dross that remains in us. We shall have the holiness without which no one sees God (see Hebrews 12:14). And though it may well take place in the twinkling of an eye (see First Corinthians 15:52) it may still feel much longer. It is much better for us to cooperate as fully with our will here and now as we can, but not being overwhelmed by our weakness, knowing that God will not abandon us.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.
Let us pray for the holy souls now being transformed. We can then be assured of their prayers when the time for our own final purification arrives.
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