As this nation celebrates its
independence on this Fourth of July it is good to take the expressions of
pride, unity, and strength and apply it to our Christian Faith. We must
remember that it was Jesus Christ who founded the Universal Church which not
only encompasses the world but also the universe; all of God’s Creation. Christ
is the leader and ultimate guide of the Church which all members of the human
race are a part of. No one is excluded from the Church regardless if they
refuse to acknowledge Jesus for who he is or if they profess to follow
something else other than the Christian Message. The moment that we were
conceived in our mother’s womb we belonged to God because he created us. He
gave us the gift of life because he loves us so much and we are his children.
Because we are God’s Children we have a birthright. It is one that we have a
choice to accept or not to accept but one that is there nonetheless.
When we were created, we
began a most glorious journey. It is a journey of discovery and experience that
shapes us and molds us every moment of our existence. This journey is filled
with revelations about God and about ourselves. Jesus Christ serves as a guide
who is present even if someone chooses not to acknowledge him. Just because he
might be ignored doesn’t mean he is not there and doesn’t have any influence in
one’s life. I feel that all of us can remember times when we have ignored God
or chose not to experience him in our lives. It can be argued that this is a
natural occurrence at one point or another because of our free will. No one is
above ignoring God and not listening to him. Everyone posses and exercises this
arrogance at one time or another. That is why it is important to approach each
person with love, respect, and understanding.
It is very easy to condemn
other people. It takes the spotlight off of us and our own failings.
Condemnation comes in the form of judging others which Jesus told us
specifically not to do. In the end there is only one judge and that is the Father.
Paul tells us in his First Letter to the Corinthians,
All of us are fragile and
cannot face judgment. It is impossible to succeed in this trial and be found
worthy since none of us were ever worthy of the Gift of Salvation. It has been
given to all of us freely and out of love. It is through experiences and
revelation that we all come closer to Jesus Christ to open our hearts to him.
It takes time, effort, and surrendering completely to Christ to finally accept
him for who he truly is. Afterwards, we can then approach God more fully and
lovingly. All of it is a process that started at that moment of conception and
continues beyond of physical existence on this earth. It doesn’t end here. Here
on this earth is only the beginning of our eternity.
God’s Divine Plan will never
be fully understood until we are one with him. There will be moments of
revelation and understanding but never a complete picture. The best we can do
is experience what is given to us and discover that little of his greatness
that is around us. Doing this together as his children removes the barriers of
hatred, divisiveness, and exclusion which were erected by Satan. A house
divided cannot stand. God did not create hate. We did. And whatever God did not
create is imperfect from its inception.
Embrace what is perfect and
we then will have the opportunity to become perfect. That perfection is the
ultimate love that comes from God.
Deacon Tom
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