Tagged: memory verse

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.” –Galatians 5:24 If you have cancer in your body, you want to get rid of every cancer cell. Leaving behind even one cancerous cell might result in a future outbreak of cancer. If you have weeds in your lawn, you want to get rid of all of them. Leaving even one weed plant can result in the weeds returning in force. Can we see that the sins of the flesh resemble cancer and weeds? Do we regard impurity in the same way? Do we think...

“I will walk at liberty, because I seek Your precepts.” –Psalm 119:45 When Scripture refers to the law, it is speaking of much of the Old Testament. St. Paul argues strongly that grace is what is critical rather than the law. It’s not that the law does not matter; the law simply pales in comparison to the absolute greatness of Jesus Christ and the grace He offers to each of us. The law deals with the external but, as the Gospel says, God is concerned with the internals, our heart. The law serves a good purpose, establishing the basis for...

“It was for liberty that Christ freed us. So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time.”–Galatians 5:1 It was for liberty from sin that Christ set us free (Gal 5:1). Once we are set free from sin through Baptism, conversion, and the sacrament of Confession, we become a target for the devil and his kingdom of darkness. Satan and his demons constantly appeal to our old human nature that was drowned in the waters of Baptism. That human nature, inherited through original sin, is constantly seeking selfish pleasures. Scripture demonstrates that it...

“Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” –Luke 11:28 Physical relationships can be very fulfilling for human beings. For example, a married couple’s physical relationship expressed in sexual intercourse can be an exceptional blessing. The physical relationship of a mother with the child she conceives, births, and nurtures is also one of the greatest blessings in life. Therefore, a woman cried out to Jesus: “Blest is the womb that bore You and the breasts that nursed You!” (Lk 11:27) However, Jesus responded: “Rather…blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it” (Lk...