Word to the Wise
Monday, April 7, 2008 - St. John Baptist de la Salle
[Acts 6:8-15 and John 6:22-29]"What can we do to accomplish the words of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."
There is an ancient tendency among Catholics to believe that some physical action (which could include saying particular prayers) or series of actions will "earn" eternal life. This tendency was concretized in the heresy which history calls "Pelagianism," after a monk named Pelagius who taught that we could earn salvation by good works. The Gospel of John, as quoted above, makes it clear that the work of God is to believe in the one who came to save us, Jesus Christ! This does NOT mean, however, that we give up works of mercy and just go sit under a tree and believe! It is this very faith in Jesus Christ that leads us to act as he did. Thus all our works of charity and mercy - all work of justice - must flow from that faith and love which the gift of the Spirit maintains in us. Tremendous things happen because of this love and faith. But it must start with the faith that connects us with Christ. The work of St. John Baptist de la Salle is an example. The Christian Brothers have done tremendous things in education of youth because of the faith of one man that led him to dedicate his life to this. All it takes is one believing person. Any of us qualify. AMEN
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