Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
The first reading from Romans contains lines of scripture that many of us find familiar. St. Paul reminds us that we are called to be led by the Spirit of God, and therefore we should consider ourselves children of God. But then St. Paul mentions that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. What exactly does it mean to be an heir of God? What do we “inherit” as an heir, and how is this inheritance passed along to us?
In the first reading, St Paul reminds us of the important role the Holy Spirit has in bringing us into the kingdom of God. God in fact showers His Spirit upon us and invites us into His family with Jesus as our brother. God “adopts” us as His own, so we can call Him “Abba, Father!” With God as our Father, we now become “heirs” just as Christ. Inheriting from God is different than receiving a gift from a loved one who passes away, since God’s presence is eternal. This means that we do not have to wait to receive all that God wants to give, since He is ready and willing to share our “inheritance” in the here and now.
What exactly do we inherit? If we are co-heirs with Christ, then the same gifts that the Father bestowed upon Jesus are offered to us as well. Yet, there seems to be some details that are necessary for this to occur- “we must suffer with him so that we may be glorified with him.” Jesus suffered in many ways. Jesus chose to live in total submission to the Father’s will. He suffered persecution, derision, torture and death to live out His commitment to sharing God’s mercy, forgiveness and great love for others. Through His total surrender, God raised Him up in glory through His resurrection.
We are called to live like Jesus. Through our thoughts, words and deeds, we are called to share God’s love with others. There are many times that when we live like Jesus we will be rejected, humiliated, hated, and sometimes even killed by those around us. In this way we too suffer with Christ, but we are not alone.
Just like Jesus and the Father are one with the Spirit, we are also brought into the family by the grace of God’s Spirit. When we open our hearts, then God pours the fruits of His Spirit upon us as our part of our inheritance. With the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control God provides the tools we need to live as daughters and sons. As a co-heir, Jesus demonstrates how a human can live a life perfectly grounded on these Spirit given graces. These gifts help us to follow Christ, so He can help us bear the suffering, and therefore allow our lives to bring God glory.
As an heir of God not only do we receive our inheritance now, but because God’s grace is infinite there is abundance for all people and all times. So how do we receive this Spirit of adoption? Jesus tells us, “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you….If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit* to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:9.13) God desires for us to receive His Spirit, so we can become a part of the family of God. When we recognize our need for God’s grace, mercy and love, and we humbly invite Him into our lives, God gives us all that we need-His presence. Through the grace of the Spirit we inherit a Father in heaven that loves us, a brother in Jesus who shows us how to live, and the fruits of the Spirit that help us build the kingdom of God.
Loving Father, You invite us to become Your children and join Your Son Jesus in sharing Your love with the world. Send down Your Spirit into our open and humble hearts, so we may be become Yours. May our lives of service to You and others bring You glory. We pray this through Christ our LORD. Amen.
- Marylynn Herchline