« The 95th Catholic Carnival is up | Main | MOVIE REVIEW: Mother Teresa »
November 29, 2006
Living the Faith
Recently I receive a letter from John Barger, the publisher of Sophia Institute Press. It was a plea for financial help, something not uncommon for Catholic organizations in this country. I often wonder why so many struggle to make ends meet...but that's another article. John's letter was different than most that I receive. He shared his thoughts and reflections on Catholicism in America. He pointed to the value of the writings of those who have gone before us and how words "do" matter. He expressed his concern with the spread of religious relativism, the corroding effects of denominationalism, and Catholics' lackadaisical attitude toward learning the Faith. Yet John reached the conclusion that all is in God's Hands and that He simply desires us to persevere.
This persevering is essential. Without it we shall not make it. Fortunately for us, God gives us the grace to persevere. It is for this reason that we must "live" the Faith. How do we do that? How do we live the Faith and receive God's grace? The answer is simple - through the Sacramental life. Persevering in the Sacramental life isn't always so easy. We grow weary, indifferent, and, at times, complacent. We need to constantly examine ourselves.
Do we faithfully strive to live our baptismal promises? Do we know what those promises are?
Do we go to confession at least once a year? Could we make time to go more frequently?
Do we go to Mass every Sunday? Could we strive to go more often during the week? Could we find time each month to go to Eucharistic adoration?
Do we live our marital covenant faithfully? Do we see our spouse as our helper and necessary to our growth in holiness? Do we hand on the Faith faithfully to our children (not the Faith as we believe it should be but as clearly taught by the Church)?
If we are priests, do we live our priesthood in imitation of Christ? Do we make our highest priority the ministering of the Sacraments?
It is through the Sacraments that we grow in holiness and virtue. It is through the Sacraments that all "good work" is brought forth. It is through the Sacraments that we ultimately become one with God.
So while we should commit ourselves to learning our Faith, it is vital that we strive to live the Sacraments for they are the "heart" of our Faith.
Posted by jay at November 29, 2006 9:56 AM
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.livingcatholicism.com/mt-tb.cgi/287
Comments
You have some great thoughts and topics on your blog. i would love to know what you think about the Catholic faith in the postmodern era.
I agree that we must constantly examine ourselves, but what about our faith? The Church?
Pax,
Br. Michael OPJB
Posted by: Br. Michael Tigner OPJB at December 8, 2006 7:19 PM
Michael,
If by "examine" you mean looking at areas within the Church in need of reform due to their failure to live the Catholic Faith as given to us by Christ through His Church...then I completely agree. Of course, the beauty of the Body of Christ is that we, through our growth in holiness, strengthen the Church and bring about reform in the most powerful way.
But if examination leads us to reject the Catholic Faith then it is we who have failed to examine rightly. Unity with the Church, specifically the Magisterium, is a must for Catholics to truly grow in holiness, since those successors of the apostles, especially the pope, have been given, by Christ, divine authority to govern His Church.
In Christ,
Joe
Posted by: Joe at December 10, 2006 12:21 AM
