submit to the church
“The apostles and presbyters accordingly convened to look into the matter.” —Acts 15:6
What did you eat for breakfast this morning? What did you eat for supper last night? Had the outcome of the meeting between St. Paul, St. Barnabas, and the church in Jerusalem gone differently, you might not be eating bacon or ham in your meals (see Acts 15:29). Your life could be quite different, and perhaps you might not even be a Christian at present, if the Christian leaders in Jerusalem had not followed the Holy Spirit.
The discernment of the early Christians was marvelous to behold. It would have been easy for the Church to insist upon retaining Jewish kosher food practices and other such customs. Nonetheless, the Church leaders relied upon the Holy Spirit for discernment (Acts 15:28). Their openness to the Spirit’s leading resulted in unity in the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:3).
For two thousand years the Church has been discerning the Spirit. Many refuse to accept the unity offered by submission to the Church’s discernment and teaching. However, by your docile submission to the Church, the lives of your loved ones can be changed for the good. Will you participate in the unity the Holy Spirit offers you by submitting to the Church’s teaching?
Prayer: Father, help me to be docile to Your teaching at all times.
Promise: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” —Jn 15:5
Praise: Robert and his wife didn’t understand the Church’s teachings on sexuality until they practiced it.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) (There is nothing like our annual 40 Hours Devotion and Family Campout. Come experience a relationship with the Lord and many of His followers June 18-20. You can extend the time at our Retreat Center with a Family Vacation with the Lord, June 21-25. See www.presentationministries.com or call 513-373-2397 for information.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1,2021 through May 31, 2021 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 5,2020"
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.