An objective observer at many funerals today could easily conclude that it really doesn t matter how one lives, because everyone s eternal fate is the same. One form of presumption is the timeless heresy of Pelagianism, which holds that happiness is attainable by merely human effort, without the necessity of grace. This is manifested today by those who place all their hope in technological progress. Another example of presumption, commonly seen at funerals, is the attitude that in the end God will forgive us irrespective of our cooperation with grace. Following this view, heaven is the inevitable and more or less universal sequel to this life.
Christian fundamentalism is yet another form of presumption.
Most Bible Christians would be aghast at Barry s lifestyle. This antiphon, taken from Monday Morning Prayer, week II in the Liturgy of the Hours, summarizes the attitude of the Christian in this life. This proper attitude can be summed up in one word, hope . Tragically, many people today live in despair, and fail to see any purpose in life. Others fall prey to presumption, believing that when all is said and done our actions are irrelevant to our salvation.