"Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.”"
What is the reason for the "culture of death" (i.e. rampant abortion and euthanasia) and the "gender confusion" (the LGBTQIA...)? It says in verse 3 that "the peoples", including those in high places, are rebelling against God's truth which are "bonds" and "cords" against their freedom to do whatever they want. That's why there is such a strong push back against the church and church's teaching, especially widespread in the western civilization. The push for social justice and equality appears to be a good thing but underneath it all is a desire to be free but without responsibility. The foundation of western civilization has been based on the influence of Judo-Christian teaching. Now they want to abolish it. What is to come of our world?
In Psalm 2:4-6 God says,
"He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.”"
What does the COVID-19 pandemic and Easter teach us? God is in charge and He reminds us what is needed, once again - salvation through Jesus and Him alone!
In Psalm 2:7-9,
"I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”"
And Psalm 2:10-12 concludes,
"Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in him."
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
First of all - it is a mystery, but it's a glorious mystery! From the reading of Colossians 3:1-17 and the sermon by Saint Augustine "A new creation in Christ", I learn several lessons:
(1) Through baptism I am born again and have been given a gift which is the church: "I speak to you who have just been reborn in baptism, my little children in Christ, you who are the new offspring of the Church, gift of the Father, proof of Mother Church’s fruitfulness.". Anyone who says baptism is only symbolic and is optional is not telling the truth!
(2) Also through baptism "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:19-20) and "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:1-2). Baptism did more than washing away my sin, it changed me from the inside where Christ chooses to dwell, and through Him I live the resurrected life.
(3) The new "code of conduct" (Colossians 3:5, 8-9, 12-14, 15-17) is a prescription for me to live a happy life: "Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry)... But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony... and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.". No amount of early success, power and fame, short term enjoyment will bring true and lasting happiness.
(4) Let God do His work in us... "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom". So we are equipped to be witnesses to a fallen world.
(5) Look forward to the Hope of Glory! "When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory." (Colossians 3:4), and Saint Augustine said, "And so your own hope of resurrection, though not yet
realised, is sure and certain, because you have received the sacrament
or sign of this reality, and have been given the pledge of the Spirit. If,
then, you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where
Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your hearts on heavenly
things, not the things that are on earth. For you have died and your
life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, appears, then
you too will appear with him in glory."
Lastly, Saint Augustine provided evidence of a definite link between Baptism in the New Testament and Circumcision in the Old Testament:
"This is the octave (8th) day of your new birth (those baptized on Easter Sunday). Today is
fulfilled in you the sign of faith that was prefigured in the Old
Testament by the circumcision of the flesh on the eighth day after
birth"
So let us pray:
God of eternal compassion,
each Easter you rekindle the faith of your consecrated people.
Give them still greater grace, so that all may truly understand
the waters in which they were cleansed,
the Spirit by which they were reborn,
the blood by which they were redeemed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Let us praise the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
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