"churched?"
"You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Capstone." —Ephesians 2:20
Today we have a feast-day — an annual, international, many-centuries-old celebration occasioned by the lives of two men, Simon and Jude. Even though we know little about their lives, what we do know is important enough to continue the celebration. Because Simon and Jude were apostles (Lk 6:15-16), we have reason to celebrate forever, for the apostles are part of the foundation of the Church (Eph 2:20). The Church in turn is so important that it is exalted by Jesus as His body and His bride. Today, we are not primarily celebrating two men or even apostleship. We are celebrating the Church in God's plan of salvation.
Are you "churched"? This means more than just being baptized, registered, or even Church-going. To be "churched" means living our baptismal brotherhood and sisterhood in practical ways, being in true Christian community. To be "churched" means knowing what the Pope teaches and obeying it. Those "churched" by God's standards center their lives on the Eucharist, go to Confession regularly, share their faith, and care in a practical way about the poor of their city and of the world.
Are you "churched"? If you are, you have all the more reason to celebrate today.
Prayer: Father, may I love the Church as Jesus does (Eph 5:25) and even die for her.
Promise: Jesus "went out to the mountain to pray, spending the night in communion with God." —Lk 6:12
Praise: Simon and Jude became foundation stones in the Church by trusting in the Rock.
Reference: (A new Church year is approaching. Spend this year in God's word by ordering our Bible reading plans, Through the Bible In One Year, and/or Father Al's Plan for Reading the Bible Each Year.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996