In our first reading today from the Second Letter to Timothy, St. Paul reminds us that it is not precisely true. There are some things that are impossible for God due to his very nature. As St. John tells us, “God is love” and it would be impossible for God to act contrary to his nature.
In the first reading today we are told if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.”
Here St. Paul affirms what we believe about baptism. In baptism we are transformed and become part of the body of Christ, and the transformation is permanent. We call it the indelible character of the sacrament. We become part of him, and “he cannot deny himself.” For this reason we never re-baptize a person. If their baptism is uncertain we conditionally baptize but we never re-baptize.
We can commit moral sin and be subject to the just punishment. We can be “unfaithful” in many way, but God remains faithful to us. Fidelity is part of his very nature. Fidelity and love are linked.
Today our hope is grounded in the fact that there is at least one thing God cannot do.
