Many baptized people, whether new Christians or longtime ones, have not yet learned to do good (Is 1:17). Simply check out the front pages of any newspaper for evidence of this. As St. Paul observed, many Christians are still spiritual babies, mere "infants in Christ" (1 Cor 3:1).
A newborn baby left to herself will not automatically learn how to speak a language, share her toys, and obey. Likewise, a new Christian left unattended will not automatically learn how to behave as a godly Christian, live a "life of good deeds" (Eph 2:10), and acquire the internal disposition of a faithful, obedient disciple of Jesus Christ. We who strive to daily live out our Baptism must continually come to Jesus (Mt 11:28), learn our faith, and "learn to do good" (Is 1:17). We must work at this learning with the discipline of a disciple, studying the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11), reading the Catechism, actively growing in the Faith of the Church. We must then never stop teaching (2 Tm 4:2) those who have not yet learned to do good.
"I am writing you about these matters so that...you will know what kind of conduct befits a member of God's household, the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of truth" (1 Tm 3:14-15). "Once you know all these things, blest will you be if you put them into practice" (Jn 13:17).
| PRAYER: | Father, give me the grace to let Your light shine in me before men and women so that they all may see the goodness in my acts and give praise to You (Mt 5:16). |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." –Mt 23:12 |
| PRAISE: | By her quiet, prayerful presence and example, Joan led her husband into the Church. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College