Gospel Thoughts
Advent Season : 4th Week - Thursday
GOSPEL - Lk 1:67-79
*First Reading - 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16*
*Knowledge of Salvation and Forgiveness of Sins*
*To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.*
*1) Knowledge of Salvation*
We speak about variety of knowledge in our day today life.
One of the main aims of our life is to acquire knowledge, in order to succeed in life.
For acquiring knowledge we go through lots of struggles and with the intention of becoming great persons in the world we try our level best to acquire knowledge
*But have we ever thought of knowledge of salvation in our lives?*
*2) The ultimate purpose of our life is to attain salvation*
Every day in our spiritual life we think of our life's goal as salvation. If so how to attain the salvation.
Even to attain salvation, we need to know the way of attaining it. Any knowledge, which helps us to know about the concept of salvation and attaining of it can be regarded as the *Knowledge of salvation*
So realising that there is a *knowledge pertaining to salvation* and all of us should have this knowledge in order to achieve the purpose of our life.
*3) Forgiveness is one of the main ways of attaining salvation and the knowledge of salvation*
This comes as a prophecy from the mouth of Zechariah.
Prophet and prophecy always has a direct reference to God. On behalf of God, a prophet speaks.
*To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.* this is the prophecy
In this prophecy the *knowledge of salvation* and the *forgiveness of sins* are highlighted
*4) Knowing the importance of Forgiveness is a great knowledge of salvation*
Forgives is the direct way to salvation.
It is the direct root to salvation and to Heaven
Ultimately *Forgiveness* from the Lord will make us to enter into heaven and nothing else.
The final judgement will conclude, with the forgiveness. In other words there is nothing beyond *Forgiveness* in the journey towards salvation or to heaven
So a person knows about the importance of forgiveness and its role in the salvation, is the highest form of knowledge, which will save a person from eternal destruction
*5) Jesus came to this earth to Forgive*
The main purpose of incarnation of Jesus is to forgive the human kind and to save them from the slavery of sin and death.
*Forgiveness* was the only way through which God saved this world and entire human kind.
*6) Forgiveness was one of the main themes of Jesus' Preaching*
Jesus began His ministry with the message of forgiveness
*The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news* Mark 1:15
Jesus concludes His mission with forgiveness
Receive the Holy Spirit and *If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven* John 20:23.
It was one of the main themes in the public ministry of Jesus
So having the knowledge of forgiveness is the the greatest *knowledge of Salvation*
*7) Efforts are needed to attain the knowledge of Salvation*
Unlike any other knowledge, which can be attained through the books, the knowledge of forgiveness can be attained only when we are ready to practice the concept of forgiveness in our day today life.
Of course the scriptures will help us know the importance, need and the greatness of forgiveness in our journey towards salvation, but it can become effective only when we are ready to practice it in our life.
Mere having knowledge with out having any practical implication will be useless knowledge. Such knowledge will not help us in any way
*8) Am I ready to attain and use the knowledge of Salvation, through forgiveness?*
It is a biggest challenge, never the less, it is not impossible
There is no other way to salvation, without forgiveness.
Having this knowledge of salvation is the greatest treasure, which will make our lives Holy and Blessed.
*Think about it*
*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*
*Fr Maxim Dsouza*
*Jeppu Seminary*
*Mangalore*
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