We are all aware of the terrible natural disaster that has befallen the people in the Gulf region of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida.
We ask you to offer prayers and sacrifices for these poor people. Such disasters can befall any of us, and it thus behoves us to help, both with our prayers, our financial aid, and possibly through volunteer work, if possible.
As St. James says, "What does it profit , my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead" (James 2:14-17).
Let our faith be witnessed to by our works.
Fr. John
Turning the Tide of Evil
One of the first things I became acutely aware of as I began ministering as a priest more than 14 years ago was that the vast majority of Catholics have never really learned their faith. For years I administered a simple test at the end of parish missions. The average grade, achieved by adults, was 43%. This failure translates into the ills and evils seen today in contemporary society. Why? For the simple reason that Catholic-Christians are called to be the salt and light of the world. When we fail to do so the world sinks under the weight of its sins. If we do not provide the moral compass to guide the world through dark and turbulent times, no one will.
Learning our faith is a moral mandate. It is not optional. We do it and please God, or we don't do it and don't please God. It isn't rocket science and it doesn't take that great a commitment in time and energy. To fail to do it is to fail in our mission, which is the same as the mission of the Redeemer--Redemption.
There is no opposition between learning and loving. If I love God and my neighbor as myself out of love for God (Charity) then I'll want to know God (Truth). Our ignorance of basic moral and doctrinal teaching is ultimately harmful to ourselves, our families, our society, our world.
This year of the Eucharist we should make a commitment to study our faith at least 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week--or some comparable program. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which will in turn help you to understand your reading of Sacred Scripture. You should be able to answer the basic moral questions of the day, as well as give simple explanations for our basic doctrinal teaching.
Give yourself this interactive test, which is not an advanced examination, but a very basic one. Any child preparing for Confirmation should be able to earn a grade of at least 80% on this. Take the exam. Take the exam honestly without looking up the answers, then take appropriate steps to advance in your faith.Click here to visit my website and take the exam.
Make a commitment to learn your faith. Then live what you have learned with perfection. Then we'll be doing something to turn the tide of evil and make the world a better place.
God bless you,
Fr. John Corapi
I took the test....it was, as Fr Corapi stated, very basic. A printable version is available at the link above...Print it out and pass it around - perhaps it will inspire others.
Test results: You scored 100 % ! Knowing your faith is important, but this is not enough. Use your God given strength and knowledge to help others learn. If you haven't already, consider starting a prayer/study group, teach others about the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ect...
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