Saturday May 10, 2008: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; John 21:20-25

The “sola scriptura” argument is defeated by the conclusion of today’s gospel: “There are also many other things that Jesus did but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.” When some of my friends in other Christian churches want to question my Catholic beliefs, the question is always “Is it in the Bible?” I always reply with a question, “Does it have to be in the Bible?” and then I will proceed to quote this passage from John. It would be naïve to think that the Bible contains in totality every single thing that Jesus did. The intention of the evangelists was not to write the history of Jesus. The truthful witness of the life of Jesus also comes to us through the traditions handed down to us by the Apostles. Our beliefs are founded not only on the Bible but also in the over 2000 year tradition that we as a church have been so privileged to receive from the Apostles. It is our responsibility to continue to witness the truth of the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all people that we encounter.

January 2, 2008, 1John 2: 22-28; Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; John 1: 19-28

One of the ancient Greek wise saying is, “man know thyself.” It is important that we know who we are. The problem in the world today is that many people pretend to be something they are not. They either do not know who they are or they pretend to be what they are not. Although John the Baptist was a holy man and had numerous followers, he knew that he was not the messiah; he recognized his role as the one who prepares the way for the messiah. John in humility knows that the one that comes after him is so great that he is not even worthy to untie the strap of his sandals.
God has called every one of us to different ministries in the Church. Some are called to be priests, others to be religious; many people are called to the married vocation; some people are called to serve as altar servers or lectors, or knights. Each call is intended to prepare the way for God’s kingdom to come upon the earth. It is important that we look at our respective ministries as ends in themselves but as our contribution to furthering God’s mission here on earth.
In what ways is God using you to build his kingdom on earth?

My response:


Today I will: