fa_thf_l_es_
"Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech." —Jeremiah 7:28
The people of Jeremiah's time were so disobedient and rebellious that they were not only unfaithful but also banished the whole idea of faithfulness and even the word "faithfulness."
We are like the people of Jeremiah's time. How many people are even conscious of their responsibility to be faithful to their baptismal promises? How many people are virgins, undefiled when they marry? How many spouses have committed adultery in their hearts? (Mt 5:28) How long are the Confession lines at your parish? Do parishioners admit their unfaithfulness to God? How many parishioners have never missed a Sunday or Holy Day Mass through their own fault? Are there as many parishioners at Holy Day Masses as at Sunday Masses?
Questions like these can be multiplied. As in Jeremiah's day, the very idea of faithfulness is disappearing in our society. Yet Yahweh is the faithful One; Jesus is "the faithful Witness" (Rv 1:5), and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be God's faithful servants (Mt 25:21, our transl).
Faithfulness may be "out" in our present society, but it's "in" in heaven and for eternity. Be faithful; restore faithfulness.
Prayer: Father, this Lent let disappearing faithfulness reappear.
Promise: "Jesus was casting out a devil which was mute, and when the devil was cast out the dumb man spoke." —Lk 11:14
Praise: St. Katharine was faithful at building the Kingdom until she died at 97. She built God's Kingdom in part by donating twelve million dollars and countless hours toward apostolic work with minority groups in the USA.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Hold Fast to the Faith on audio AV 71-1 or video V-71.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, August 18 8, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 23, 2004