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December 8, 2021“In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will.” (Ephesians 1:11)
Has anyone ever asked if you believed in predestination? In other words, whether we are predestined by God for either heaven or hell, so that there’s nothing we can really do about it?
Whenever I’m asked, I say that we’re all predestined to spend eternity with God, the angels, and the communion of saints. How could a loving God create us to be damned for eternity? Even so, we have free will. God doesn’t force us to do anything. So, we don’t have to cooperate with God’s loving plan for us.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a great sign of hope for me. God prepared Mary in every way, including being conceived without sin, to accept God’s great plan for her: to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. But God did not force this upon her. Mary wondered how she could do what God asked her, but in faith she said yes.
God has prepared each of us to serve him in a special way. He has given us the grace, along with the gifts and talents that we need, to accept our vocation. Yet we are free to squander his gifts. We do not have to cooperate with his plan for us. Certainly, it’s very unfortunate when a person does not accept his or her mission in the world. Even when that happens, God continues to love the person, and offer his grace and mercy. God never gives up on us.
Today thank God for choosing you to be his beloved son or daughter. Whatever God has called us to requires perseverance, love, and courage. Like Mary, have faith that God will give you what you need throughout your life, to do what he has called you to do in this life, and to spend eternity with him, the angels and all the saints.