December 23, 2015
“Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” What an amazing proclamation of faith!
“We are God’s children now…” Are we? Yes and No. Yes, by virtue of our baptism we have been adopted by God as God’s own sons and daughters, brothers and sisters to God’s only Son Jesus. This is itself remarkable. God, our Creator, sees us as God’s children. God, the ideal parent, loves us with a love that is unconditional, total, and always faithful. God’s love for each one of us is irrevocable. The problem is that we are not always comfortable with the idea that we are children of God. We want to think of ourselves as independent adults; persons who do not need a parent’s guidance, wisdom and direction. As a result, we can sometimes choose to follow a way that is not faithful to the way that God has shown us will result in a deeper relationship with God now and the fullness of life in God after death. We sin. We choose to follow our own path rather than the path that will strengthen our relationship with God and assure our salvation. The Christmas season is a good time for us to seek the grace to live as true children of God.
We shall be like God, for we shall see God as God is. Wow! If we embrace our identity as children of God and accept the wisdom, guidance and direction of God then death will be our passage into the presence of God. There we shall be like God because we will see God face-to-face. Think of that! Our hope is that one day we will be embraced by our loving parent and gaze upon the face of God as the radiant love of God envelopes us. Perhaps that hope is so extraordinary that it becomes impossible for us to appreciate. It seems too much for us to comprehend. But what a great privilege and blessing it is to have this hope! It is this hope that should encourage us to embrace our identity as children of God.
In this Christmas season, embrace your identity and so live in the great hope that is ours!
Fr. Mark Hallinan, S.J.