+ Our readings today tell us that “it is advisable to consider the things of God on his own level, with his own logic” – to the extent that we are able – “rather than on our own.” The very ability to do this requires God’s action first, by his giving the gift of faith; then it requires our use of the gift, its application in particular instances, and then thanks rendered after successful utilization of the economy of God.
In our gospel passage today, for example, Jesus is teaching a very wonderful lesson about the generosity of God, in his willingness to offer salvation to everyone – no matter how lately any may come to faith, come to belief in Jesus, come to the church: right up to the very last person born on earth, it will never be too late to say: I believe – and to lead to life based on the belief. And, if Jesus wants these “latecomers” to be the first into the kingdom on Judgment Day – then so be it: this ought not cause the rest any consternation at all. It is not up to us to say: “This is not fair!”
The reason for this, as St. Paul tells the Philippians, is that when for us “life is Christ” – then it does not matter what stage of that life we, or others, might be in; in fact, it does not matter whether we are alive or dead; because if Christ is our life, we have it all – and we just don’t concern ourselves with how full or empty other people are, or when they got to be that way.
Our task today is to continue, as our second reading tells us, to seek God while he may be found, call him while he is near, forsaking our foolish ways and useless thoughts, turning to God for mercy: to our God, who is generous in forgiving: remembering that his thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are his ways ours: they are infinitely different:
after all he is God, and we are not: and it’s all going to end up better than we can possibly imagine – if we keep him squarely in our sights!
The
Lord is near to all who call upon him.
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