Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 21-31
21 But now the
righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified
to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who
believe. For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the
glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in
Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood,
to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously
committed, 26 through the forbearance of God—to prove his righteousness in the
present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 What occasion is there then for boasting?
It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle
of faith. 28 For we
consider that a person is justified by faith
apart from works of the law. 29 Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?
Yes, also to Gentiles, 30 for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Are we then annulling the law by this faith? Of course not! On the contrary, we are supporting the
law.
If we are faithful to God we strive to circumcise the heart and not the body alone. A true Jew is one who lives the covenant and avoids those things that give a person over to the power of sin. Indeed without Christ; Jew and Christian have no hope; for all sin. Christ gave us the power to enter into a right relationship with God by faith and not by just being a goody-goody for all human beings have failed God and not measured up to their potential glory. Christ has quite freely made it possible for all people to regain a right relationship with God. God is not a bookkeeper; HE is a lender giving the loan of righteousness and out of love we create an economy of love with others; building the Kingdom of God.[1]
Miguel Pro was born January 13, 1891, at Guadalupe Zacatecas, Mexico. From his childhood, high spirits and happiness were the most outstanding characteristics of his personality. The loving and devoted son of a mining engineer and a pious and charitable mother, Miguel had a special affinity for the working classes which he retained all his life. At 20, he became a Jesuit novice and shortly thereafter was exiled because of the Mexican revolution. He traveled to the United States, Spain, Nicaragua and Belgium, where he was ordained in 1925. Father Pro suffered greatly from a severe stomach problem and when, after several operations his health did not improve, in 1926 his superiors allowed him to return to Mexico in spite of the religious persecution in the country. The churches were closed and priests were in hiding. Father Pro spent the rest of his life in a secret ministry to the sturdy Mexican Catholics. In addition to fulfilling their spiritual needs, he also carried out the works of mercy by assisting the poor of Mexico City with their temporal needs. He adopted many disguises to carry out his secret ministry. In all that he did, he remained filled with the joy of serving Christ, his King, and obedient to his superiors. Falsely accused in a bombing attempt on the President-elect, Pro became a wanted man. He was betrayed to the police and sentenced to death without the benefit of any legal process. On the day of his death, Father Pro forgave his executioners, prayed, bravely refused the blindfold, and died proclaiming "Viva Cristo Rey!" (Long Live Christ the King).
COURAGE FOR THE MODERN WORLD 2017 #2017CALENDAR
Authored by Mr. Richard H. Havermale Jr.This book is the continuation of my first book based on more than 365 references in the Bible to fear, dread, and that in fact our God encourages us to "BE NOT AFRAID". To do this we must be in the presence of our Lord and talk to Him. I recommend you develop the habit of spending 10-15 minutes a day with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or if that is not available some other quiet place where you can be in the presence of our Lord. Read the daily entry and reflect on it asking our Lord and His mother to talk to your heart and reveal to you the will of the Father and then Do it. The layout of this book is to list and reflect on the books of the bible Sirach through Revelations. In the early part of September my search of the verses dealing with fear and being afraid was completed; so I asked the Lord what do I, do now. After some reflection I realize that the fruit of fear in the Lord is the Theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love which ultimately results in Peace of the Lord. As a consequence the month of September will deal with Peace, October with Love and the month of November will be reflections on Faith and Hope. After Thanksgiving for the season of Advent and Christmas this work uses a multitude of references that reflect the Christmas season. There are many theologians who state that the eighth deadly sin is fear itself. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. Saint John Paul II in his writings and talks also tells us to BE NOT AFRAID. In fear or anger we walk away from God. Our Lord, Jesus Christ taught us how to walk back toward God in His sermon on the mount through the Beatitudes. Each of the beatitudes is the antidote for the opposite deadly sins.
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