The One Who Calls Us to Salvation

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 6:58 pm Post subject: The One Who Calls Us to Salvation

The One Who Calls Us to Salvation

Scripture:

Give praise, O daughter of Sion: shout, O Israel: be glad, and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord has taken away your judgment, he has turned away your enemies: the king of Israel the Lord is in the midst of you, you shall fear evil no more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not: to Sion: Let not your hands be weakened. The Lord your God in the midst of you is mighty, he will save: he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will be silent in his love, he will be joyful over you in praise. The triflers that were departed from the law, I will gather together, because they were of you: that you may no more suffer reproach for them.
( Zephaniah 3:14-18 )

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
( Philippians 4:4-7 )

And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do? And he answering, said to them: He that has two coats, let him give to him that has none; and he that has meat, let him do in like manner. And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do? But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay.

And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ; John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. And many other things exhorting, did he preach to the people.
( Luke 3:10-18 )

Reflection:

In our Internet age, we expect quick results. As soon as we think of something, we want it now or we want it done. Indeed, in our technological world, everything seems to be about moving or getting things accomplished ever faster. Our perceptions of the temporal world is perhaps why we struggle to comprehend the meaning of time to God. ( cf. Psalm 90:4, 2 Peter 3:8 )

What is soon, we might ask, to One who is, was, and ever shall be? Our Heavenly Father does not give us the day or the hour of what will happen, but He does reveal what will come on that day. If we observe the prophecies fulfilled, then, we must observe we can trust that what God reveals through His prophets will come; not as people speculate, but as God commands.

As it is spoken by God, so shall it be. Whatever He wills, shall come. With this understanding, we, then, may rejoice at the news of the gospel, for the prophesy of salvation is in motion; salvation available to us all. We might also have concern, for we are also told of a day of judgment. It may not come in this moment or the next, but with surety, the day will come.

It is for this reason, we should not turn away from our Creator, but towards Him. We must endeavor to learn His ways and lift up our petition that He will grant us wisdom and understanding as we study and internalize His Word.

Blessed are we that though we may make mistakes along the way, if we have a contrite heart, He will forgive our sin. Though we may and should be anxious about what we have done and what we have failed to do to accomplish what God asks of us, we should rejoice that through His great mercy and forgiveness, God offers to us His eternal love and peace. It is but our choice to accept His desire for us.

The good news of the Lord, God sends through His angels, His prophets, and even His only begotten Son. He sent John the Baptist to herald the way of the coming Light. In the wilderness he spoke as people came to him. As they began to comprehend the news before them, they turned from their daily lives to ask John, ?What shall we do??

His answer was the same and, yet, different for each who asked. It was the same, for the answer was, ?Do what is right and just.? It was different because each person applies the gifts and talents created within them in different ways and according to their vocations and circumstance. Even the tax collectors, we might observe, may do what is right and just if they allow God to lead them.

Scripture is filled with His wisdom along with various examples as to how we may apply such wisdom, not only for our blessing, but also for the blessing of those who cross our path. Scripture also reveals to us the harm of sin and the wrath it raises. Indeed, the purpose of the commandments of God is to provide us with guidance as to how we may lead our lives such that we share in blessings, yet, so many refuse the wisdom of our Creator. Harm flows in so many directions from how we miss the mark of what God asks of us.

Sometimes, we do not see the consequences of our sin. We do not see the hurt we cause others or the harm we cause ourselves. As we realize we cannot undo what we have done and we realize there is a judgment to come, the question remains, ?What are we to do??

John provided answers; examples of what was right and just, but the Son of God revealed the test of what should come from our actions; the fruits of the love of God and one another. (cf. Matthew 22:36-40) If we endeavor to live according to these commandments, then, we shall yield what is right and just. Let us, then, listen to what was heralded in the desert. Let us look to the coming of the One who will baptize us with the Holy Spirit; the Spirit sent by our Savior to remind us of all taught by the Word made flesh. ( cf. John 1:14, 14:26, 15:26 )

Questions for further reflection:

Why might we rejoice as we prepare for the day promised by our Lord?

For what reason do we believe we are called to make our kindness known to all?

What are the blessings of baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier