Redemption; God's Everlasting Gift

Redemption; God’s Everlasting Gift

Of course we could say that each gift from God is everlasting from the moment he created us through the trials he saves us from, to the moment we find him welcoming us into his eternal kingdom.  However, if we were not the recipients of Chist’s Passion the redemptive qualities of his Sacrifice would mean nothing if we reject this free gift.

It becomes the same old tale that we must do something to earn God’s Spirit dwelling within us no matter how often we make a mockery of his grace and continue on our course of sin.  

Where did this incorrect assumption that we must earn our way to heaven come from?  It probably was born of a necessity to please God by doing something as in the premise of ancient gods who would not answer prayers unless the people gave up something dear to them.  Hence, the sacrifice of their children would earn them blessings, which they never got.  

Their idea of sacrifice was to empty their coffers, in most cases their children, that would appease the gods that were mere sculptures of stone that could not breathe, talk, or communicate with a mortal being.  

Outward sacrifice, to be genuine, must be the expression of spiritual sacrifice; “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit……”  The prophets of the Old Covenant often denounced sacrifices that were not from the heart or not coupled with love of neighbor.  Jesus recalls the words of the prophet Hosea:  “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.”  The only perfect sacrifice is the one that Christ offered on the cross as a total offering to the Father’s love and for our salvation.  By uniting ourselves with his sacrifice we can make our lives a sacrifice to God.  (CCC 2100).

When anyone believes that they must give something back to God, as in an outward expression of handing over a tangible item, they have fallen into the ways of buying their way to God’s love and forgiveness.   This becomes a manner of bartering our way into heaven and telling God how much we accomplished by way of human sacrifice.  Careful that we do not feel that monetary possessions will appease the God of eternity like the gods from antiquity.  

If we can't remember these simple rules of our spiritual mandates, repeat to yourself the words from Hosea;  “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.”  

What leader or governor would rather see a physical expression of a subject’s dedication rather than a promise to be his friend?  Yet, God has discounted all the necessities of paying for his gift of redemption which was already paid for by Christ’s death and resurrection from the dead.

No charge for this benevolence of a God that has you and me in his arms and gives of himself, freely and lovingly.  This is what his Redemption is all about.

Lenten sacrifices?  Candy, movies, smoking, etc.  Instead a friend or relative you haven't spoken to for weeks or years.  The hate that society implants in your sense of fairness to other people  Your acceptance to abortion and the warning to keep quiet in Church regarding that.  Your choice!        

Ralph B; Hathaway