Intimacy, Inheritance, and the Holy Spirit
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Ephesians 1:11-14
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have come to believe in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance, until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Grace Prayed For
Based on this passage, we are prompted to pray for the grace to live with the joyful security of our “seal.”
We can pray: “Father, send your Holy Spirit to deepen my awareness that I am sealed as your child. Let this truth move from my head to my heart, granting me the joyful security and freedom I need to genuinely receive and boldly share your love in every encounter, all for the praise of your glory.”
Reflection
What does it mean to be “sealed”? In the ancient world, a seal was a mark of ownership, protection, and authority. A letter was sealed to guarantee it came from the king. A scroll was sealed to protect its contents. This passage tells us that the moment we came to believe, we were “sealed with the promised holy Spirit.”
This is not a cold, wax seal. This is a person. The Holy Spirit is the living, breathing, personal guarantee from God, living inside of us. This is the very foundation of “Intimacy Through the Holy Spirit.” God has not just given us a promise of heaven; He has given us a Person as the down payment. He has given us Himself.
How does this seal empower us “to share and receive”?
A sealed heart is a secure heart. When we are intimately aware that we are “chosen,” “destined,” and “sealed” by God, we are freed from the anxieties that make us build walls. We are no longer operating from a place of fear—fear of rejection, fear of being misunderstood, fear of not having enough.
From this place of security, we can finally receive others. We don’t need them to affirm our identity, so we are free to simply accept them as they are, to listen to their story, and to receive the gift of their presence.
From this same security, we are free to share. We no longer hoard our gifts, our time, or our hearts. We are sharing from the “inheritance” that we are already guaranteed. We can be bold, like St. Paul says, because we know we belong to God.
This is our mission. We “exist for the praise of his glory.” We don’t do this by simply shouting from a rooftop; we do it by living as “sealed” people. When we live with the quiet confidence of a beloved, chosen child, that security shines forth. People encounter us and sense a peace, a freedom, a joy that is not of this world. They encounter someone who truly sees them. In that encounter, they are not just meeting us; they are meeting the love of the Trinitarian God, reflected through the “guarantee” of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Daily Evangelization and Baptismal Mission
Fulfilling Your Baptismal Mission
Here are brief ways to evangelize by focusing on how Jesus has loved you and impacted your life, as inspired by this passage.
Speak of Your “Inheritance” (Hope): The Gospel is “good news.” When someone is sharing their struggles, listen, and then share your hope. You could say, “That sounds incredibly hard. In my own struggles, the one thing that has kept me going is the hope Jesus gave me—a deep-down knowledge that this isn’t the end of the story. That hope has been my anchor.”
Share Your Security: When someone is anxious about their future or their worth, share how Jesus has impacted you. You could say, “I used to find all my worth in my job (or family, etc.), but I’ve found such peace in knowing that Jesus has already ‘chosen’ me. That love is my true security, and it’s changed everything.”
Be a “Guarantee” of Presence: The Spirit is God’s guaranteed presence with you. Be that for someone else. In an encounter, “seal” the moment by putting your phone away and giving your full, undivided attention. This act of “receiving” them fully shows them the dignity Christ sees in them, proclaiming His love without a word.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post