Saint Prosper of Aquitaine (?-c.460)
lay theologian
The calling of the peoples, 9
"Jesus was going to die... not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. "
Saint Paul states that "in these, the last days, God has spoken to us in his Son, whom he has established heir of all things." (Heb 1:2) Now, doesn't this sentence mean that the Father considered every person to form a part of Christ's inheritance? It matches the prophecy of David: "Ask and I shall give you the nations as your heritage, that you may have dominion to the ends of the earth." (Ps 2:8)
Our Lord himself declares: "I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to myself." (Jn 12:32) Does it not appear that the salvation of every person is promised? Elsewhere we find a prophecy about the Church: "Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be laid low, the rugged places shall become a plain and the highland a broad valley." (Is 40,4). Does it seem as though anyone has been forgotten or has not been chosen here as one of Christ's subjects? And what should we think when we read: "All flesh shall come and bow low before me; they will worship me in Jerusalem, says the Lord" (cf. Is 66:23)...
And so the term "people of God" is to be understood in all its fullness. No matter if the majority of people refuse or neglect the Savior's grace, it is the whole that is indicated by the words "elect" and "predestined"... The apostle Paul also says: "We proclaim a crucified Jesus Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and folly for pagans... but the power and wisdom of God." (1Cor 1:23-24) Would Christ be "the power and wisdom of God" in the eyes of the same people for whom he is "a stumbling block" and "folly"? In fact, since certain people are saved because of their faith while others are hardened in their unbelief, the apostle included both faithful and unfaithful under the general term of "chosen". Thus he showed that those whom he counted as pagans had become strangers to God's call even though they had heard the Gospel.
Daily Marriage Tip for April 13, 2019:
Of all of the things you have to do today, is time with your spouse a priority? Be sure to give him or her the attention he or she deserves.