Memorare - Danielle Rose (The prayer to Mary set to beautiful music)

“Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.”

Rev. Walter L. Nolte	Nov 19, 2013

“Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.”

St. Paul never minces any words when he writes to the early Christians. He says exactly what needs to be said when he needs to say it. His starting point is always the same. It’s one of love. His words convey a genuine desire for his spiritual children to not only know about God’s love for them but for them to also believe it in the depths of their hearts. The Father’s love is their inheritance, and it is ours as well.

Sadly, we don’t always believe in the Father’s love for us. Thus we are not able to understand His desire to provide for us in all things both spiritual and temporal. We mistakenly believe that everything depends upon us, and thus we neglect to be grateful to God when our efforts are rewarded. We slide slowly down the slippery slope from dependence upon God to an arrogant independence. We thank ourselves for the good things of life and curse at God for the bad things. We become lost in our pride.

The unrepentant thief (Gesmas) was lost in his pride. He cursed both God and man for the situation in which he found himself. He was not convinced of his own sinfulness so there was no way he could be convinced of Jesus’ ability to save him. The good thief (St. Dismas) on the other hand was convinced of his own sinfulness and therefore was able to recognize his need to be saved by Jesus.

In order for us to be able to fully receive the gift of our inheritance we must first be able to recognize our need for it. We must be convinced of our sinfulness and acknowledge it before God. We must take responsibility for our actions before God so that He can wash them away with His mercy and love.

This Sunday at 5pm we will have our parish reconciliation service. Additionally, our second graders will celebrate this healing sacrament for the first time. Please join us as we echo the words of St. Dismas and ask Jesus to remember us when He enters the Kingdom that is the Father’s Heart. We will never regret having our sins absolved. However, we will regret not doing so.

Take courage! The Master is calling you.

God bless,

Father Nolte