an open-book test
“If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I am not the one to condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save it. Whoever rejects Me and does not accept My words already has his judge, namely the word I have spoken — it is that which will condemn him on the last day.” —John 12:47-48
Jesus clearly reveals that the Word of God will be the standard by which we are judged “on the last day” (Jn 12:48). It’s like those times in school when the teacher gave us an open-book test. The answers were all there in the book. An open-book test should be the easiest type of test — if we had taken the time to learn the material revealed in the textbook. Jesus, the “Teacher” (Mt 19:16), has blessed us by revealing to us in advance the answers for the test on the last day. It’s all in the Good Book.
When you were in school, you also had other study guides. One of the most common guides was called the Cliffs Notes. The best study guide for the final test is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was revealed to the Church in advance of the test by the Holy Spirit. There are many hundreds of Scripture verses quoted in the Catechism. So the question becomes: Do you know the Word of God? How well have you tried to know it? Will you be surprised by the test on the last day?
Prayer: Father, I will dedicate the rest of my life to helping as many as possible be ready to know, love, and serve You in this life and be happy with You in the next. May the Word of the Lord “spread and increase” because of my love for You (Acts 12:24).
Promise: “I have come to the world as its Light, to keep anyone who believes in Me from remaining in the dark.” —Jn 12:46
Praise: Over the past three centuries, St. Louis de Montfort has inspired faithful Catholics to trust Our Lady’s intercessory role. His book, True Devotion to Mary, remains a classic.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1,2021 through May 31, 2021 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 5,2020"
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.