Daily Retreat 10/19/07
2007 Oct 19 Fri: Isaac Jogues and John de Brébeuf, ps, rs, mss, mts, & co., mts M
Rom 4: 1-8/ Ps 31(32): 1b-2. 5. 11/ Lk 12: 1-7
From today’s readings: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.... I turn to You, Lord, in time of trouble, and You fill me with the joy of salvation.... There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.....”
Justification
Since God is infinite, even a "small" offense against Him has an infinite dimension. So, there is nothing that a finite creature can do to adequately make amends to Almighty God for any sin whatsoever. That, in a nutshell, is why justification comes only through our Redeemer the debt of sin is too much for anyone to pay merely on the basis of personal merit.
Thanks be to God that He paid that debt for us! Christ's redemptive death on the cross, however, does not mean that "good works" and the Old Testament law are of no value whatsoever - in fact, only with a careful reading of scripture (particularly, but not exclusively Paul's letter to the Romans) can we begin to grasp the right relationship of faith, works, and the Law.
Most of the formidable error and confusion about these concepts can be traced to hasty reading of a few select verses. Only by attentive reading can we hope to stay on track! Remember that especially as we traverse these significant theological discourses in Paul's letter to the Romans.
Rom 4: 1-8/ Ps 31(32): 1b-2. 5. 11/ Lk 12: 1-7
From today’s readings: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.... I turn to You, Lord, in time of trouble, and You fill me with the joy of salvation.... There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.....”
Justification
Since God is infinite, even a "small" offense against Him has an infinite dimension. So, there is nothing that a finite creature can do to adequately make amends to Almighty God for any sin whatsoever. That, in a nutshell, is why justification comes only through our Redeemer the debt of sin is too much for anyone to pay merely on the basis of personal merit.
Thanks be to God that He paid that debt for us! Christ's redemptive death on the cross, however, does not mean that "good works" and the Old Testament law are of no value whatsoever - in fact, only with a careful reading of scripture (particularly, but not exclusively Paul's letter to the Romans) can we begin to grasp the right relationship of faith, works, and the Law.
Most of the formidable error and confusion about these concepts can be traced to hasty reading of a few select verses. Only by attentive reading can we hope to stay on track! Remember that especially as we traverse these significant theological discourses in Paul's letter to the Romans.
posted by FrPitstick | 10/17/2007
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