By ZOE CANNON
GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF FAITH
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26).
We are made in the image and likeness of God. We are the creatures through whom God’s plans and purposes can be acknowledged; therefore we are co-creators with God. “I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:140. God knew each person would act, believe, and love differently, and that true belief in Christ and the gospel would cause division among people.
We are different by God’s design! Be attentive, discern truth, and look for the sacred in everything, by affirming that all things have their source in God. Living with this type of respect and honor challenges secular ideology where nothing is sacred. Scripture tells us the Word of the Lord and the breath of God’s mouth, the essence of divine being made Creation. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Typology, or religious text, is prophecy and fulfillment, where Old and New Testament affirm truth about God’s purpose for life. In the Old Testament story, the Prophet Isaiah saw in a vision the glory and Deity of Jesus Christ in heaven. The house shook and Isaiah thought he was doomed. Then he heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Isaiah replied, “Here I am, send me!” Isaiah heard God say: “Go and say to the people: Listen carefully, but you shall not understand! Look intently, but you shall know nothing! You are to make the heart of the people sluggish, to dull their ears and close their eyes; else their eyes will see and their ears hear, their hearts understand, and they will be healed” (Isaiah 6:8-10).
This prophecy is revealed in the Gospel of John where Jesus performs many signs in their presence, yet they did not believe in Him in order that the word which Isaiah the Prophet spoke might be fulfilled. “He blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they might not see with their hearts and be converted, and I would heal them” (John 12:40-41). Jesus offers a vivid warning about a nation that remains unrepentant, but His mercy heals the world!
When we turn away from the messenger, Jesus Christ, we choose to disregard the sacredness of our bodies as Temples of the Holy Spirit; fail to understand the gift and teachings of the Real Presence in the Eucharist; become indifferent about sin; and create disorder in God’s creation. How can we hear the voice of God if we are not seeking the light of Christ?
Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a throne and the train of His garment filled the temple. Seraphim were stationed above announcing: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim touched the lips of Isaiah with an ember taken with tongs from the altar. “See he said, this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed and your sin purged” (Isaiah 6: 7).
The glory and deity of Jesus are present during Holy Mass! We could never comprehend the gift this is to our mind, body and soul! The respect we give our Lord in church is represented by our outward appearance as well as our internal thoughts for preparedness. When the Lord of Hosts...the True Presence of God looks out among the people in His temple, I pray He feels revered by our presence! We should be intentional about the way we present ourselves to receive Jesus. The way we dress and the need to prepare our souls are essential, because His Presence deserves all things sacred! Amen!