tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post8952273907788214207..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Our Christian belief in unmerited salvation can and should be our greatest foundation in life.Fr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-69670697622571440072016-11-05T02:36:11.301+08:002016-11-05T02:36:11.301+08:00“We become holy and good not in order to attain Go...“We become holy and good not in order to attain God. It is because God is holy and good that we become likewise.”<br /><br />You are right to say that we have been taught that – “every human being has a God-given value and dignity inherent in his very person; ............. and our salvation is unmerited.....” – yet how often have we heard Catholics and Christians saying that that before they die, they would want to give the twilight years of their life to serve God in ministry, or do some good work – implying that by so doing they can assure themselves of a place in heaven (i.e. salvation).<br /><br /> I guess it’s inevitable that the value system and norms of the world would rub off on us, consciously or otherwise....and so it takes time and faith to buy into the Good News that salvation is given freely despite our unworthiness or sinfulness. When we know this as a fact and accepts it, our world and how we view it, how we interact with those we come into contact with, will definitely change. Perhaps, we can even say that – this is the initial stage, the beginning of our transformation.... from living on the surface to recognizing the possibility of an interior or spiritual life.<br /><br />In a way, our eyes have been opened – to a new way of looking at things and all that we previously sought for ceaselessly and furiously as the meaning and purpose of our existence here – the “gold and silver – (be it wealth, power & fame) –will have turned to dross.” It is likely we will still continue to strive for “heaven”, we will still continue to do good - however, these actions will now be motivated by a deep desire to respond gratefully and humbly to the Goodness, the Love that brought us into being.....not to attain God, (as to possess) but because he has become the ultimate goal , the “home” that we have been seeking to return to all this while.<br /><br />God bless you, Fr.<br /><br />tessa<br />Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211998984286520369noreply@blogger.com