October 30, 2013

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 481
Reading 1 ROM 8:26-30

Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;

Our flesh is weak.  But the Spirit dwelling in our hearts is the Spirit of God.

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

And the Spirit calls us to pray and to be united with God.

And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God’s will.

And the Holy Spirit intercedes for us to God.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.

All things, even if they appear to be bad for us at this time, are for our good (1 Pet 1:7).

For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.

God knows everything.  The way I understand this verse is such.  Heaven is eternal.  All who are in heaven have been there from the beginning.  Therefore, those who are in heaven, will be in heaven.

And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.

And so, although God gives all free will and the opportunity to be saved.  Yet some reject that salvation.  And God already knows who they will be.

How does that differ from the Protestant doctrine of predestination?  Well, 

1.  God knows who will be saved.  But we don't.  Therefore, we must strive for salvation.

2.  We do not dare to judge ourselves saved before time.  We accept that God is our Judge and we consider it presumption to judge ourselves saved by faith alone.

Responsorial Psalm PS 13:4-5, 6

R. (6a) My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”;
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.

R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.

Hope in God (Psalm 146:5).  It is God who saves us (Ex 20:6).  Do not put your faith in your faith alone or your works.  It is by the grace of God that the faithful who do works of mercy and love, are saved (Gal 5:6).

Gospel LK 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.

In my opinion, this is primarily a warning about Purgatory.  Of course, hell is also included here.  But the majority of us will go to Purgatory and be made perfect by the mercy of God.

Why do I think it is about Purgatory?  Well, it says that many will attempt to enter heaven but will not be strong enough.  Those who go to hell, have rejected heaven.  The Catechism says:

1037 God predestines no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance":….

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.

Those who are cast into Purgatory will be shocked.  Because they believe they are doing the work of God.  They don't realize that they are lying to themselves.  By God's mercy, they will be saved.  But only as by fire (1 Cor 3:15).

And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”

This is a reference to the Gentiles who are part of God's Kingdom as well.  God will judge them in the end times.  He will judge them according to the law which is written in their hearts (Romans 2:15).