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: Jane prays before and after watching the news, or else she doesn't watch the news.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, January 29, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 5, 1996