the celebration of the word
"Your teaching must have the integrity of serious, sound words to which no one can take exception." —Titus 2:8
Orthodox teaching based on the Bible is extremely important in leading people to Christ and building up the Church. False teaching is extremely destructive to our faith and to the Church. Therefore, we must "fight hard for the faith" (Jude 3) and "guard the rich deposit of faith with the help of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us" (2 Tm 1:14). Furthermore, when we speak, we must be careful that our speech is "consistent with sound doctrine" (Ti 2:1). We should also act so that "the word of God will not fall into disrepute" (Ti 2:5). Even Christian employees should try to work extra hard for their employers so as "to please them in every way, not contradicting them nor stealing from them, but expressing a constant fidelity by their conduct, so as to adorn in every way possible the doctrine of God our Savior" (Ti 2:9-10). Whether we are teaching, fighting, guarding, speaking, acting, or working, we want to make sure we are helping people open up to God's word.
Our lives are so "word-centered" because God's words are "spirit and life" (Jn 6:63). His words are "the joy and the happiness" of our hearts (Jer 15:16). "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Catechism, 133, St. Jerome). "Not on bread alone is man to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4). God's word is "more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Ps 119:72). Our "rebirth has come, not from a destructible but from an indestructible seed, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Pt 1:23). Praise You, Jesus, Word of God (Jn 1:1), for the word of God!
Prayer: Father, may I meditate on Your word day and night (Ps 1:2).
Promise: "It was He Who sacrificed Himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness and to cleanse for Himself a people of His own, eager to do what is right." —Ti 2:14
Praise: St. Martin's example led others to totally commit their lives to Christ and His Church.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 1, 2008
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