What is Salvation?

We are all children of Adam and have inherited the Original Sin. Perhaps St. Paul had this in mind when he wrote that all had sinned and fell short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Now, after studying theology for a short while, we know that "inherited the Original Sin" does not articulate the truth properly. Rather, we should say "lost the Original Grace". Out of His benevolence, God created us. However, the first parents rebelled and did not live up to God's intention. Not only did our first parents fall short of the glory of God, they had done something that damaged part of the faculties of the soul. Thus, we have lost the Original Grace which is God Himself! Rejecting God, the human species rejected life.

Are we not living? Are we not breathing, eating and reproducing? Yes we are, but this is only the biological level. Even on the biological level, we suffer genetic mutation and incurable cancers. On higher levels, we establish interpersonal relationships and build up social networks. Are we not living socially? Yes we are, but on this social level, we suffer gossiping and bullying. We have developed economic prosperity and improved our living standard.  Yet, on this economic level, we exploit the developing countries through globalization. On the political level, there are greater freedom and democracy than before. Yet, our arsenals have enough weaponry to blast up this planet several times. All levels of our existence is stained. The story of the Forbidden Fruit attempts to explain our present plights, but with a twist, with a promise of salvation.

There would be conflicts between the Tempter and the Woman, the children of Women and the children of the Tempter. God would be on our side so that the Woman would trample on the head of the Tempter (Genesis 3:15). The Epistle of the Romans is a theological reflection on this conflict. Luckily, God did not abandon us. Throughout the ages, God announced through the prophets His determination to deliver us. St. Luke and the early Christians saw John the Baptist come to make the final announcement that the Saviour had finally arrived. Quoting Isaiah 40:5, Luke wrote all the flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:6). So, what does this salvation mean? I think salvation means different things to different people because any abstract, universal definition, such as a restoration or even transformation of our relationship with God, will not be meaningful to us at all.

My mum has been an alcoholic but she does not admit it. From our point of view, alcoholism is seriously damaging her health and her relationships with us. Kicking the habit is her salvation. However, from her point of view, she has no problem. She denies drinking even though her breath is saturated with alcohol. Arguments over her drinking problem do not yield any improvement. We have tried different ways, e.g. accompanying her to distract her attention when the  hiding away the bottles of wine she purchases, asking her doctor to prescribe drugs, locking the door to prevent her from going out, following her and signal the grocers not to sell her etc. and have to admit that we have reached our wits' end.

When we were desperate and wanted to give up, God sent a parishioner to help us. She has been a janitor in a public hospital and is very experienced in dealing with old people. She is in a much better position to handle my mum's situation. After all, she is my mum. There are too many emotional complications involved to hinder our trying to make her quit drinking. Thank God and our parishioner friend, my mum begins to show signs of improvement. She still drinks. She still denies drinking but she can communicate better.

Dear Lord, I dare not beg You to make my mum quit drinking completely. I wish that she shall one day go to Church to praise You with me. Amen.