A Believer's Blueprint

Sunday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel of Luke 20:27-38


Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given to marriage.  They can no longer die, for they are angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise....."


I love this quote written by Paul Claudel featured in today's "Magnificat" meditation :  The sinful flesh is at the mercy of decay, but we carry within us the sublime blueprint of our immortality.  

What will the resurrection be like?  The Lord makes it clear to the Sadducees the resurrection of the dead will be nothing like what we experience on earth.  We can't  take along our spouses, children, dogs, cats, and material possessions.  We will be judged on how well we loved others; how much we cared for others; how much good we did during our lifetimes.  Only those who have died before us know the answer to the mystery of what lies beyond the resurrection realm.  We should not worry about dying but worry about living.  Living with love, faith, hope, and charity.  Living a virtuous life so when the right time comes Christ will raise us up as angels with golden wings!

Are we deemed worthy?  Do we love our friends and neighbors?  Do we help the poor and the indigent?  Are we respectful and kind?  Do we regularly practice the sacraments?  Are we open to dialog with other Christians and non-Christians?  Are our lives reflective of God's holy image?  We should examine our conscience to identify if we are acting in accordance with Godly principles or worldly ones.

A Believer's Blueprint  God created each of us with unique sequences of DNA.  Our genetics, natural temperaments, and environmental conditions mold us, forming us according to a specially-designed blueprint. A true believer's blueprint will contain several dimensions of  love and faith.  Love that is enduring and long-lasting.  Faith that soothes our burdens and sufferings.  A believer's blueprint is hand-written by God himself as he drafts his path for us.  He is the master architect and designer.  He can make changes to his blueprint at anytime; that is, if we are open to change.  The believer's blueprint is a work-in-progress:  A life long construction project .  Does our blueprint reflect Christ's image or our own self-made image?

What will the resurrection be like?  It will be out of this world! Something that radiates love that is well worth the sacrifice and the wait.

-J.