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The Time After Pentecost
God gives the fullness of His life to the humanity of Christ, thereby making the Incarnation
of His Son the fountain of grace in His Church and her members “according to the measure of
the giving of Christ” (Eph 4:7). Either we are holy in Christ or we are not holy at all. We have
been chosen “not according to our own works, but according to His own purpose and grace,
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world” (2 Tm 1:9). Christ is the
center, the fountain, the fulfillment of all the promises. In Him is salvation and every means of
salvation; in Him is all grace, redemption, and faith.
Christ on His part also gave us wonderful promises, which are to be fulfilled in the time to
come. To His Church He makes the promise that the gates of hell shall never prevail against her.
He promises her that He will be with her all days, even to the consummation of the world (Mt
28:20). To us He makes the promise that some day He will return with much power and majesty.
“The hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God.
And they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they
that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment” ( Jn 5:28 f.). He makes us some other
promises, too, which are of a more general nature and are directed to each of us individually as
an aid for our personal Christian life and endeavors. “He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the
same beareth much fruit” ( Jn 15:5). “He that loveth Me, shall be loved of My Father; and I will
love him, and will manifest Myself to him” ( Jn 14:21). “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they
that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice,
for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are
the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all
that is evil against you, untruly for my sake” (Mt 5:3 ff.).
Christ also gives promises meant for those who leave everything out of love for Him.
“Amen, I say to you . . . every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother,
or wife, or children, or lands for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess
life everlasting” (Mt 19:28 f.). These are no empty words; they are unfailing, divinely sure
promises, which we are not allowed to minimize or belittle in any way. Christ is infinite truth;
we therefore must believe and joyfully accept these promises.
The promises given to the fathers have been fulfilled in Christ and in Him alone. In Him alone
we have grace and through Him alone can we expect the heavenly heritage. With the words of
the Apostle we stand with Christ: “I know whom I have believed, and I am certain that He is
able to keep that which I have committed unto Him, against that day” (2 Tm 1:12).
The promises made by Christ are so exalted and all-embracing that nothing on earth can
be compared with them.
Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, grant unto us an increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we
may obtain what Thou dost promise, make us love that which Thou dost command. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
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