intimations and revelations
"She departed with her companions and mourned her virginity on the mountains. At the end of the two months she returned to her father, who did to her as he had vowed." —Judges 11:38-39
Jephthah realized that three things were involved in his victory over the Ammonites: a vow, human sacrifice, and virginity. Jephthah accidentally discovered three major elements of God's plan of salvation.
God's plan involves a vow, a covenant. Jeremiah prophesied that God would make a new covenant with us (Jer 31:31). This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus made a new covenant in His blood by dying on the cross for us. The covenant is re-presented in the sacrifice of the Mass (Mt 26:28).
God had intimated that animal sacrifices were inadequate to accomplish our salvation (see Ps 40:7), but how could we offer a human sacrifice which was not an abomination before God? Jesus, the God-Man, offered an acceptable human-divine sacrifice on Calvary.
In the old covenant, virginity was to be mourned (Jgs 11:38). In the new covenant, those who freely renounce sex lead the way in building God's kingdom (Mt 19:12). Jesus is the perfect Example of this. He renounced sex and reigns forever as King of the kingdom, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Prayer: Father, give me a supernatural knowledge of Your plan of salvation.
Promise: "The invited are many, the elect are few." —Mt 22:14
Praise: St. Bernard gave up his worldly clothing as a nobleman and "put on" Christ to bring God's love to others (Rm 13:14).
Reference: (Come to our retreat, Building Christian Community, on October 2-4 to prepare yourself to have a faith-filled relationship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 to register.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 11, 2009
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