Professing Faith
After Jesus' death, the disciples stayed huddled in a room, behind a locked door out of fear. (John 20) It wasn't until Jesus presented Himself and showed them that He had indeed risen from the dead that their hopes and belief were truly restored. (John 20) We of the present day have the added benefit of reading the accounts of the gospels after the fact. Sadly, there are many today who profess to believe in our Lord, yet keep themselves locked in that upper-room for fear of the world. They profess our Lord readily when in the midst of believers, but deny him when they leave the sanctuary of His holy Church.
As Christians, we are reborn in Christ through baptism and must consider that our life is no longer our own. In fact, we should consider ourselves dead to the worldliness. Our way, our path should now be totally that of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should strive to imitate Him in every way. Yet, how many of our brothers and sisters say yes to Christ, but their actions show no. Living in our Lord transcends just the profession we make within the walls of the Church, rather it means taking what we profess within the walls of the Church and bringing into the world at large.
There is little doubt in my mind that it is becoming harder and harder to live a Christian life, but that which is accomplished in adversity is how much more pleasing to Him? We must always remember that the Lord never gives a yoke that is too heavy. He will never give us more than we can bear, but we must always remember to humbly turn to our father in prayer and implore his help like a child would. The world around us teaches egoism, self-indulgence, greed which are all things that run opposite to teachings our Lord has given us. We cannot in good conscience participate in such things and then face Him in the Sacrament of the Eucharist and say yes Lord. We cannot deny Him in the world and to those around us and come before His altar and say yes Lord. We must profess Him in all that we do. We must ever strive not only to profess him in our daily lives and action, but also to strive to bring him to others in all our action so that when people gaze upon us they do not see us, but Christ.
It is a frightening experience to at times be rejected by people because of your beliefs, but Jesus tells us in the bible that this would happen. "You will be hated because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved" (Mt. 10:22). "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (Jn 15:20). We will no doubt face many who will loathe our ways or not understand our values. Many will not understand why we are in the world, but not of the world. However, you must never compromise your faith for the sake of fitting in, or easing your path. Catholicism is a way of life, not a mere title professed at a whim of convenience. Do not be as those who will be caught saying "Lord, Lord open the door for us!" [who will receive the reply] "Amen, I say to you, I do not know you" (Mt. 25:11-12).
Always trust in the Lord and He will be your fortress. Meditate upon Him night and day and profess him with every word that you speak, every move that you make, and every thought that you think.
He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.2 He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.3 For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.4 He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.5 His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.6 Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.8 But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.9 Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge.10 There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.11 For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.12 In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.13 Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.14 Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name.15 He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.16 I will fill him with length of days; and I will show him my salvation. (Ps. 90)- Douay Rheims
Dominus Vobiscum.
As Christians, we are reborn in Christ through baptism and must consider that our life is no longer our own. In fact, we should consider ourselves dead to the worldliness. Our way, our path should now be totally that of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should strive to imitate Him in every way. Yet, how many of our brothers and sisters say yes to Christ, but their actions show no. Living in our Lord transcends just the profession we make within the walls of the Church, rather it means taking what we profess within the walls of the Church and bringing into the world at large.
There is little doubt in my mind that it is becoming harder and harder to live a Christian life, but that which is accomplished in adversity is how much more pleasing to Him? We must always remember that the Lord never gives a yoke that is too heavy. He will never give us more than we can bear, but we must always remember to humbly turn to our father in prayer and implore his help like a child would. The world around us teaches egoism, self-indulgence, greed which are all things that run opposite to teachings our Lord has given us. We cannot in good conscience participate in such things and then face Him in the Sacrament of the Eucharist and say yes Lord. We cannot deny Him in the world and to those around us and come before His altar and say yes Lord. We must profess Him in all that we do. We must ever strive not only to profess him in our daily lives and action, but also to strive to bring him to others in all our action so that when people gaze upon us they do not see us, but Christ.
It is a frightening experience to at times be rejected by people because of your beliefs, but Jesus tells us in the bible that this would happen. "You will be hated because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved" (Mt. 10:22). "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (Jn 15:20). We will no doubt face many who will loathe our ways or not understand our values. Many will not understand why we are in the world, but not of the world. However, you must never compromise your faith for the sake of fitting in, or easing your path. Catholicism is a way of life, not a mere title professed at a whim of convenience. Do not be as those who will be caught saying "Lord, Lord open the door for us!" [who will receive the reply] "Amen, I say to you, I do not know you" (Mt. 25:11-12).
Always trust in the Lord and He will be your fortress. Meditate upon Him night and day and profess him with every word that you speak, every move that you make, and every thought that you think.
He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.2 He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.3 For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.4 He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.5 His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.6 Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.8 But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.9 Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge.10 There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.11 For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.12 In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.13 Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.14 Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name.15 He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.16 I will fill him with length of days; and I will show him my salvation. (Ps. 90)- Douay Rheims
Dominus Vobiscum.
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