Te Deum Part 8 You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come, and be our judge. In the Nicene Creed we proclaim this very statement, concerning the Christ, and what a powerful declaration this is. This statement reminds us of the Trinitarian nature of our God, joined to the Father, with the Holy Spirit. We do equally believe that the Christ will come again at the final judgement on humankind. There is no assurance of whether that coming will be after or before our lifetime. Therefore, we acknowledge in the Creed the urgency to walk at all times with the Lord.
By baptism, we are restored to grace. In our baptismal promises, we reject sin and Satan. Rather, we seek righteousness. This is the intent and we have the sacraments to restore us to Christ’s friendship in the Eucharist and in the sacrament of Reconciliation. At Confirmation, we enter into this relationship most deeply. At the moment of death, we are captured in the loving hands of our God. Will we accept or reject that love?
This weekend, we sing in the first verse of “Gift of Finest Wheat” in a text written by Robert E. Kreutz (1922-1996), “As when the shepherd calls his sheep, They know and heed his voice; So when you call your family, Lord, We follow and rejoice”. Our assurance is the voice of Jesus will always draw us back when we lose our way. How do we know if it is God’s voice speaking to us? God’s voice always leads us to the greater good and sets everything right.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall have their fill.” Matthew 5:6 and alternate communion antiphon for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time