living is believing
"Be this His praise from all His faithful ones, from the children of Israel, the people close to Him." —Psalm 148:14
Peter made a great profession of faith when he acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, "the Son of the living God" (Mt 16:16). However, in ensuing events, Peter showed that he did not fully understand or mean what he professed about Jesus. He refused to accept Jesus' words about the cross (Mt 16:22). How could he have done that if he had truly believed Jesus was the Son of the living God? Also, Peter said that Jesus was responsible to pay the temple tax, although Jesus certainly was exempt as the Son of God (Mt 17:26).
We are like Peter in that we have made great professions of faith. However, we may have spoken the truth about Jesus, all the while denying our words by our actions and lives. If we believe Jesus is God, wouldn't we obey Him and be His witnesses at every opportunity? (see Acts 1:8) Wouldn't we want to receive God Himself daily in Holy Communion? Wouldn't we spend more time with God's Word in the Bible than with man's words on TV or in the newspaper?
Yes, we have said that Jesus is the Messiah, Savior, Lord, and God. Now, we must put our lives where our mouths are.
Prayer: Father, may my life speak the same message as my words — only louder.
Promise: "Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded Him." —Ez 1:28
Praise: St. Clare expressed her love for God by patiently bearing illness, doing penance, offering prayers, and remaining devoted to her sisters and town.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our book Living in Reality or our tapes, either a four-part audio series starting with AV 38-1 or a two-part video series starting with V-38.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 19, 2014
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.