true confessions
"This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city." —Jeremiah 26:11
Jeremiah prophesied the truth against Jerusalem, although he risked his life in doing so. John the Baptizer told Herod and Herodias the truth about their adultery. For this, John was beheaded (Mt 14:4ff). Jesus, Who is the Truth (Jn 14:6), came into the world "to testify to the truth" (Jn 18:37). He spoke the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and was executed by crucifixion.
Are you walking in the truth? (see 1 Jn 1:6) Are you fighting for the truth even to death? (Sir 4:28; Jude 3) Do you say with St. Paul: "We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth" (2 Cor 13:8)?
To be men and women of truth, we must be committed totally to the Truth, Jesus Himself (see Jn 18:37). We must "share in His sufferings by being formed into the pattern of His death" (Phil 3:10). We must be consecrated in the truth as Jesus was on Calvary (Jn 17:19).
Are you in the Truth? Only then will you be free (Jn 8:32).
Prayer: Father, by obedience to the truth may I be purified for a genuine love of my brothers and sisters (1 Pt 1:22).
Promise: "Mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens." —Jer 26:15
Praise: St. John exemplified "imperturbable patience" and so drew countless sinners back to God. He is said to have often heard Confessions from sunup to sundown.
Reference: (To receive the gift of God's word, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 30, 2012
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.