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Friday, November 5, 1999

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Romans 15:14-21
Psalm 98
Luke 16:1-8

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founder's day

"I did not want to build on a foundation laid by another." —Romans 15:20

Paul did not want to build on a foundation laid by another. He realized that the foundation of our Christian life is critical and therefore he wanted to be sure that it was solid. Paul taught: "Everyone, however, must be careful how he builds. No one can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, namely Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 3:10-11).

Is your life founded on a total, unconditional commitment to Jesus? In joyful, obedient submission, are you founded on the body of Christ, the Church? (see Eph 2:20; Rv 21:14) Have divine revelation and the Catholic faith "been preached and taught to you in accord with the truth that is in Jesus"? (Eph 4:21) Otherwise, you may have to lay "the foundation all over again" (Heb 6:1). Nevertheless, no matter what it takes, we must have a solid foundation. Jesus promises: "Anyone who hears My words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock. When the rainy season set in, the torrents came and the winds blew and buffeted his house. It did not collapse; it had been solidly set on rock" (Mt 7:24-25).

On the threshold of the Great Jubilee and of the third millennium since Jesus' Incarnation, may each of us be able to truthfully say: "I laid a foundation as a wise master-builder might do" (1 Cor 3:10).

Prayer:  Father, do in me what You must in order to do through me what You will.

Promise:  "The Lord has made His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice. He has remembered His kindness and His faithfulness." —Ps 98:2-3

Praise:  Sister Agnes taught school for many years. She made it a practice to tell each child that she taught how dearly she loved them.

Reference:  (For related teaching, order our book, Living In Reality.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 10, 1999


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 16, 1999