|
St Mark Catholic Parish |
|
Home |
 - Father Slowiak We have a truncated notion of 'salvation,' the Church word for 'healing.' We commonly relegate salvation to the future, to a heaven experience. Paul wrote (Ephesians 2:4-7) that we are, in our sin, are dead, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Saint Paul speaks in the present tense. Salvation, "our seating in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," begins now. Salvation begins before we begin and continues long after we thought we were done. Our 'true place' is revealed as where God is. Christ Jesus has made clear and prepared this 'true place' for us. Paul writes (Hebrews 2:16) . . . he [Jesus] did not come to help angels, but the decedents of Abraham. |