the spreading, increasing, and judging word
"Whoever rejects Me and does not accept My words already has His judge, namely, the word I have spoken." —John 12:48
We are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Eph 2:8). "Faith comes through hearing, and hearing comes by the word of God" (Rm 10:17, our transl.). Therefore, St. Jerome rightly said: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." We will be judged based on our faith in Christ which is a result of our relationship with Christ, which is usually based on hearing God's word. Thus, we are judged by God's word (Jn 12:48).
Therefore, like the early Church, we should be very concerned that "the word of the Lord" continue "to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24; see also Acts 6:7; 19:20). Is God's word spreading in your family, community, parishes, city, and country? What are you doing to sow the seed of God's word? (see Mk 4:14) Are you concerned that this book, One Bread, One Body, reach as many people as possible as deeply as possible? Are you praying and working for this? In this Easter season, is the word of God continuing to spread and increase in your life? Are you trying to meditate on God's word day and night? (see Ps 1:2) Has this Easter time been your best walk with Jesus as He interprets for you "every passage of Scripture" which refers to Him? (see Lk 24:27) May "the word of the Lord" continue "to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24).
Prayer: Father, may Your word burn in my heart (Lk 24:32).
Promise: "After they had fasted and prayed, they imposed hands on them and sent them off." — Acts 13:3
Praise: Jesus entrusted George with the privilege and honor of witnessing to Him by laying down his life as a martyr. George "endured a great contest of suffering" (Heb 10:32) and remained faithful to the end, so that Jesus might be glorified.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 9, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 15, 1996