Many of us Catholics, if asked what our religion is, will respond, … “I am Catholic”. But are you really?
Do you say you are Catholic because you were born into a Catholic family or because you actually live an active Catholic life?
Jesus says:
21 “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’ RSVCE Mathew 7:21-23
Are you truly doing the will of God our Father in your active daily life or are you doing your own will when doing God’s will becomes a challenge? Jesus did not make this statement with the intent that He would waiver when you stand for judgment.
Jesus makes it absolutely clear when He states:
17 “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.[a] 18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. RSVCE Mathew 5:17-20
How much more clearer can He get when He says, “ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” You will NOT make it to heaven. Yes, day after day, many of us are playing dice with our Spiritual lives…our eternal lives. Are you simply going through the motions or turning a blind eye to the teachings that you find difficult. Just in case you did not get it, Jesus makes it even more clearer and succinct:
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. RSVCE John 14:6
If you are not living according to the teachings of Jesus, He is telling you that YOU WILL NOT MAKE IT TO HEAVEN.
We are being taught a watered down version of the faith. We are led to believe that God is merciful and that He will simply say… Oh …ya..it was tough…I can understand…here is your waiver. God is merciful…but He will not be taken for a fool either. You simply cannot stop trying because it is a tough road and hope that God will show mercy simply because you thought it was just too bothersome to follow the Truth.
Again, Scripture says::
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. RSVCE 1 John 1:19
In other words, if we try to live as God wills us to live and fail at times, and we are remorseful, then God’s sanctifying grace will be there for us through the sacrament of reconciliation. God is not saying I will have mercy because the road is tough and you stopped trying or followed your own will instead. It is only in our genuine attempt to follow God’s will to perfection and fail and are remorseful because we failed that His mercy comes into play.
Paul writes:
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” RSVCE Romans 9:15
Paul makes it clear to us that it is not automatic. You will be judged.
I ask you again, Are you Catholic?
God Bless.
Luciano Corbo
Copyright 2018, Luciano Corbo
Luciano Corbo
Luciano Corbo holds a Master of Arts - Integrated Studies from Athabasca University. His major interests are Culture, Work, Organizations and Leadership, within a context of Catholic Social Teaching Principles. He writes from Canada.
2 responses to “Are You Catholic?”
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Very well said, brother. Many Catholics get offended by this. But Scripture is quite clear. Those who say, “well God knows I’m a good person and is a merciful God. If he knows everything, He knows that I am and that my heart is good.” Yet, they will treat the Sabbath as if it were just another day, sleeping in and not attending Mass in order to receive the Blessed Sacrament in communion with those of us who are praying the Mass.
Even two of my four children (adults now) do not attend Mass and seem to have the attitude that their “goodness” and love for God is all they need. When I tell them of the importance of exeriencing the Sacraments as often as possible, they seem to shrug it off. So I pray for them and have asked our Blessed Mother to pray for them as well. Thank you for your qritings, as I thoroughly enjoy them and agree whole-heartedly with you. Peace, Mike M
Greetings brother! Thank you for your kind words. I agree. It may offend some, but I would rather follow the words of Christ than make up my own words to follow. I am a sinner and will always be one. i strive for perfection but often fail. Thank our Lord for the sacrament of confession! God Bless. – Luciano