< <  

Saturday, October 15, 2011

  > >

St. Teresa of Jesus


Romans 4:13, 16-18
Psalm 105:6-9, 42-43
Luke 12:8-12

View Readings
Similar Reflections

faith-full

"All depends on faith, everything is grace." —Romans 4:16

Because all depends on faith, we pray: "Lord, 'increase our faith' " (Lk 17:5). However, Jesus wondered if He would find any faith on the earth when He would return (Lk 18:8). We must either move mountains by faith or be moved and manipulated by the forces of the mass apostasy preceding Jesus' second coming (2 Thes 2:3). Only those who have faith that Jesus is the Son of God will conquer the world (1 Jn 5:5). All others will not be victors but victims of the evil one. Therefore, we need deeper and deepening faith.

"Faith comes through hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rm 10:17, our transl.). By studying the Scriptures, living God's Word, and reading this booklet, we improve our communication with the Lord. We hear Him better. This makes it possible for us to have a deeper personal relationship with the Lord. As a result of this relationship, we have "confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see" (Heb 11:1), that is, we have faith. Thus, our whole lives are transformed, for all depends on faith (Rm 4:16). By faith, we accept the grace of salvation (Eph 2:8), please God (Heb 11:6), conquer the world, and go to heaven. Grow in faith.

Prayer:  Father, may I live "a life of faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20).

Promise:  "The Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be said." —Lk 12:12

Praise:  St. Teresa overcame her tendency toward frivolous conversation and became renowned for her profound conversations with her Lord.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape The Remnant on audio AV 79-3 or video V-79.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.