Start 38:17
Bp. Williamson:
“Uh, Verse 30
Many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first.
Compare chapter 20 verse 16.
So he will explain that, he will give a parable of that saying in the next chapter.
It's a very, very important principle.
It speaks of the freedom of God in the giving of his gifts.
That's what the parable will say in the next chapter.
God's complete freedom in how and when unto whom he gives his gifts.
They are gifts, they are, they're not deservable, and therefore there's no question of injustice if God gives them here and takes them away there.
It is mysterious.
How and why God gives to some men at their death baptism so that they can just scoot straight into heaven.
Why do you think, humanly judged, why do you think this man receives a deathbed baptism?
He's never been baptized all his life.
There was a case, I think it was Father Robinson, was in a Hong Kong or a Singapore hospital a few years ago.
It was in Korune”
Seminarian:
“Father Gentile” (editor: correct spelling?)
Bp. Williamson:
“Father Gentile (editor: correct spelling?)
And he was looking out, visiting somebody, and they called him over to a bed nearby?
An old Chinaman?”
Seminarian:
“Yes.
He had asked for baptism, but his relations refused [him], and then he was unconscious, and let him see whether he woke up.”
Bp. Williamson:
“This is one of our own priests just a few years ago.
Singapore, is it?”
Seminarian:
“Singapore.”
Bp. Wiliamson:
“Singapore, yes.
Why do you think that happens?
Why does God arrange for Father Gentile to come by? as far as human beings can tell."
Seminarian:
[Unintelligible]
Bp. Williamson:
“Yes, but why this man and not to another?
Chazal?”
Seminarian:
[Unintelligible]
Bp. Williamson:
“It's perfectly possible that he'd led what was, paganly speaking, a good life.
Perfectly possible.
Who knows all of the secrets of a life?
You know, only God knows all of the secrets of a man's heart down all the length of a life.
Only God can strike the balance sheet.
All the good that a man does that nobody knows about, and the good people do know about, all the bad that nobody knows about, and all the bad that people do know about.”
Seminarian:
[Unintelligible]
Bp. Williamson:
“It could be, but why would it be for this man rather than for another?
Uh, Whenever the Lord God speaks to a privileged soul, what does he say?
Daniel (editor: sounds more like a French name in the audio?)
What's his two-word answer for questions like that?
Darby?
Or A three-word answer compressed.
Don't ask.
because it's the secrets of God.
It's the secrets of predestination.
It's the secrets of God's choice.
But it's certain that in heaven we will understand.
Insofar as we look at, or at the general judgment, we will understand.
It will be clear.
God's justice, as well as mercy in his dealings with every single human being, will be clear.
It's not always clear right now here below, obviously, but it will be clear then.
But if you, it's the kind of question which if you ask too much, you can start accusing God of injustice and then you get into all kinds of trouble, mentally.
But many that are first shall be last and the last will be first.”
End 42:33
Topic: God provides: Stories of God providing deathbed Baptism of water (Read 47 times)