Saint James admonishes us to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.”
From this we must question what is this word and why is it so important to heed. This word is that which is revealed to us through sacred Scripture and given to us in the form of sacred Tradition. It is these two which work in unison in order to proclaim the fullness of faith that is contained inside of the Church as is handed down to us by Christ.
The 2nd Vatican Council document Dei Verbum (The Word of God) states on this manner, “Hence there exists a close connection and communication between sacred Tradition and sacred Scripture. For both of them, flowing from the same divine wellspring, in a certain way merge into a unity and tend toward the same end.”
There are some who have nothing do with either of these realities. There are others who stress sola scriptura which means scripture alone. If we are to know the word that is being planted within us then we need to have an understanding of the fullness of faith. This fullness can only be known if we have these two working together in order to bring it about.
As Catholics we cannot be content with sitting in Mass alone and not desiring to go any deeper. Each time that we assist at Holy Mass we are able to hear sacred Scripture proclaimed to us and we are able to hear homilies which express Scripture in the light of Church teaching. Through the internet we might even find homilies or reflections which assist us in expounding upon the Scriptures. All of these are good and helpful at assisting us in our life of faith.
Nevertheless, we must do something with what we are given. At the conclusion of each Mass we are invited to go forth. We go forth in order take that which we have received here inside of the Church with us that it may be brought out into the world in order that it may be lived. If we are hearers only what we receive will not be brought forth to be lived.
As Archbishop Chaput stated, “If we really believe that Jesus Christ is who he says he is, and that the Catholic Church is who she says she is, then we need to live like it. If we really believe that the Gospel is true, we need to embody it in our private lives and our public choices.”
What is required of us by this word may be prove to be most difficult especially when it means that we must undergo trials and persecutions due to to the Gospel. As Saint James states to this, “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Let us be sent forth from here in order that we be “doers of the word and not hearers only.”
No comments:
New comments are not allowed.