Listen, Prepare, Do

Gospel Reflection for Thursday, December 7, 2023

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

-Mt 7:21, 24-27

Perhaps the most dangerous doctrine of Protestantism is “Sola Fide” or that by faith alone, we are saved. Martin Luther even changed the very words of Christ in the Bible to say this in order to fit his doctrine. Our Lord said by faith and works we are saved - those works include charity which is born our of love for God and neighbor, of course, but also the Sacraments. The Sacraments are the greatest works performed on earth. Another act we must perform is obedience.

The false doctrine of sola fide is in direct opposition to the words of Christ, His Apostles in the books of the New Testament and the writings of the early Church. The sin of the devil and the sin of our first parents was disobedience to God. We must remember that even Satan believes in God. In fact the evil one knows who God is and His power far more than we can fathom. Belief is necessary for faith, but to remain faithful requires obedience. Jesus said in the Gospel of Mattew:

22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. 24 Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock…

While belief and faith are essential, our Lord also said that we must be Baptized and receive his real body and blood in the Eucharist. He and the apostles made clear that we must obey the Church He founded that speaks with His authority. He prayed that we may be one, with no divisions, one body and of one mind. The true words of the Bible speak strongly against schism, division, dissention, disunity and rebellion.

No, faith alone is not enough. We must rid ourselves of all that is in opposition to the teachings of Christ as given to us through the only institution vested with His authority, His One, Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church. Jesus did not leave us a Bible, He left us a Church. He did not commission writers but preachers and teachers. The Word of God is not up to our interpretation or opinions, and certainly not to be molded to fit our politics. Go to Confession, Go to Mass, receive the Eucharist, strive for virtue and hope for Heaven. The Bible is also very clear that salvation can be lost by those who believe in Jesus as Lord, because they fail to follow His commandments, and thus become unfaithful.

Advent is a time of penance and preparation, as well as an anticipation of the great celebration of Christmas. This is not time for pretty words and excuses - act now… Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the King of Kings is coming!

Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings January-June, 2024. It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPD1DC7Q

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic