Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Strive for Peace


Piety
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled.  Hebrews 12:14-15

He was amazed at their lack of faith.  Mark 6:6

Study
Faith plus Jesus’ presence is an amazing combination.  We see it heal leprosy.  We see it calm stormy seas.  We see it feed thousands from a few meager fish and some scraps of bread.  In combination, these are two unbeatable teammates. 

However, take one away, and the other is rendered helpless to work any miracles alone.  Despite being in his own hometown among friends and family members, Jesus was not able to perform any mighty deed there: according to Mark, Jesus’ power could not take effect because of a person’s lack of faith.

Beyond that example, Jesus goes on to compare himself to previous Hebrew prophets whom the people rejected.  This already foreshadows his own eventual rejection.

Action
Yesterday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has declared the late Archbishop Oscar Romero is a martyr for the faith.  An official beatification ceremony will come soon.  Here is the story from CNS: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1500492.htm

For several decades since his death, Romero cause for sainthood was blocked by the thought that his action on behalf of the poor and powerless in El Salvador was more politically based rather than faith based.  He brought the rejection that Christ experienced into the 20th century.  However, in the end, faith prevailed.  Blessed Oscar Romero, pray for us!  Presente!

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