Rev. Fr.
Leonard Goffine's
The Church's Year
SATURDAY
AFTER PENTECOST
[Ember-day]
EPISTLE
(Rom. V. 1-5.) Brethren, Being justified by faith let us have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access
through faith into this grace wherein we stand, and glory in the
hope of the glory of the sons of God. And not only so, but we glory
also in tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh patience:
and patience trial, and trial hope, and hope confoundeth not: because
the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Ghost,
who is given to us.
EXPLANATION
The Catholic Church has always maintained that not faith alone,
which the devils have also, but faith manifesting itself by good
works, justifies man. The Catholic Church teaches this in opposition
to those heretics who assert that by faith in Christ man is already
justified, bringing as proof of their assertion the words of this
chapter which St. Paul speaks concerning faith. The Church's doctrine
in this respect is confirmed by St. Paul himself in many texts from
his epistles, (I Cor. XIII. 2; I Tim. VI. 18.; Tit, III. 8.) and
by the traditions of all the Fathers of the Church. - Believe in
Jesus and His word, but also practise this faith in works of love,
and you will be saved.
(For gospel
and explanation see Thursday in the third week of Lent)
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