founders' day?
"He may be likened to the man who, in building a house, dug deeply and laid the foundation on a rock." —Luke 6:48
What if a structural engineer advised you to have the foundation of your house checked just in case you may have a problem? You probably would have it checked if there was even the slightest chance of your house collapsing. Today, Jesus is suggesting that you check the foundation of your life.
Are you founded on Jesus? (1 Cor 3:11) Have you lost your life for love of Jesus? (Lk 9:24) Are you, as a member of the Church, founded on the apostles and the prophets (Eph 2:20; Rv 21:14), on the bishops who are the successors of the apostles, and on the Pope, the successor of St. Peter? (see Mt 16:18) Do you devote yourself to the apostles' instructions? (Acts 2:42) Is your life founded on hearing and doing God's word? (Lk 6:47) Is your faith founded on Jesus crucified (1 Cor 2:2) and the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:4), or is it founded only on human eloquence or intelligence? (1 Cor 2:1, 4)
Your foundation will be tested by the circumstances of life (see Lk 6:48). Make sure you are ready for the test. Love Jesus with all your heart (Mt 22:37). Love the Church and give your life for her, as Jesus did (Eph 5:25). Hear and do God's word. Take up the cross each day in docility to the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, work through me to rebuild the ancient ruins (Is 58:12).
Promise: "Because the loaf of bread is one, we, many though we are, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." —1 Cor 10:17
Praise: Pope St. Cornelius had to deal not with persecution from outside the Church. His battle rather was to fight the dissension from within. He was successful in reaffirming the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, March 8, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 9, 2000