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 of the Catholic Church, 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: Robert’s life changed when God’s Word set his heart aflame. He now reads the Bible daily.
Reference:
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2022, through November 30, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 3, 2022
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.