Our Scriptures this Sunday begin with the fall of Adam and Eve, describing how sin entered into our world. Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were in perfect accord with the will of God. Jesus Christ redeemed us, taking upon Himself every sin of every human being through eternity. Jesus established God’s kingdom on earth. We ask then why is sin and evil still present in our world? The answer is found in the Our Father prayer that we pray. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. The coming of the kingdom of God is work in process – in which each one of us has a key role. Each time we do the will of God, we bring the kingdom one step closer to reigning on earth as in heaven. We must not only pray the words of the Our Father, but live them out each day of our lives.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin. Scripture scholars tell us that we sin against the Holy Spirit in despairing of God’s forgiveness…i.e. we deny that God can or will forgive us. God has given us the gift of free will – we must accept His forgiveness freely.
For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. As we battle against sin and evil in our world, we keep in mind that we are made for eternity with God. Just as St. Paul, we persevere, knowing that Jesus Christ has already won the victory for us!
God bless us all always! Deacon Mike