The mighty works of God

We open today's liturgy with the prayer: "O Chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, alleluia."  God has called each one of us out of the darkness of sin and selfishness, fear and hatred, including hatred toward oneself that can be learned from those in our lives who are jealous of us, put us down, reject us, a hatred we can easily internalize.  We have been called into the marvelous world of light, of God's unconditional love, God's justice and peace, God's mercy and forgiveness.  In faith, we know that God waits for the moment that His free gift of redemption is fully realized in each one of us. In faith we also know that Jesus will return to take us up into heaven to reside where He and the Father reign, where there is no more pain and sadness, no more chaos and confusion, no more put downs or rejections, no more self-criticism or harsh rebukes from others whose self-disdain can easily be projected onto us.  O how God longs for that day when we will occupy that special  place that Jesus has gone up to heaven to prepare for us.  O happy fault of Adam that revealed to us God's marvelous love for His Chosen People!