WE ARE GOD’S POSSESSION

It has now been 40 days since our celebration of Christmas. 

According to Mosaic tradition, Mary comes to the Temple to be purified of the flow of blood that she had in giving birth to Jesus 40 days earlier. But at the same time, we commemorate how, in obedience to the provisions of Judaism, Mary and Joseph present Jesus to God and offer a pair of turtle doves in exchange for Jesus. Ever since God delivered Israel from 400 years of slavery in Egypt at the cost of letting the firstborn male of the Egyptians die with a strange illness, God has claimed that every firstborn male of Israel is His, and parents have to claim their firstborn male with an offering.

Now, if we think about it, it is not only the firstborn or the first fruits that belong to God. Everything in this world and universe belongs to God. We profess every Sunday in our Eucharist: “We believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen...” If that is so, then:

1. We are forever dependent on God for everything. God made us, and also sustains and maintains us. That is why all religious traditions acknowledge God as the “Divine providence.” Nothing happens that is not known, willed or allowed by God. He has absolute sovereignty over all. Hence, we must forever be humble and obedient before God.

2. We are always accountable to God. God has granted us the wonderful gifts of freedom and self-actualization. The freedom that God gives is something absolute. It is not freedom from God, but freedom to exercise our uniqueness in our loving response to Him. Herein lies our peace and true happiness: in our perfect correspondence to God’s will.

3. We have an eternal debt of gratitude to God. Our life, our every breath, and everything that we possess, are all due to the benevolence of God. A lifetime of faithfulness and service to God cannot even be enough to thank Him. St. Augustine loved to say: “God has created us without us.” Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What concrete ways can you begin to adapt to live out your being a true possession of God? Think deeply: You are God’s precious possession. How does this make you feel?

 

Lord God, thank You for everything. Without You, I am nothing.