August 11 The Heart of St. Paul
When St. Paul speaks of Christianity, he does not speak of higher or lower levels of Christian faith as if there are “cliques” of better Christians or worse Christians. All Christians possess the same goal: union with Christ in heaven. Therefore, it is important for all Christians not to divide themselves into different groups, but rather to work together. The strong need to help the weak; the bold need to help the timid and no one should cause scandal to the young believer.
This is what St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians in his first Letter: “Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good for one another and to all.” (1Thes 5:14-15)
No one gets to heaven under their own power. They have the help of the members of the Church, the communion of saints, the grace of the sacraments and the power of the Holy Spirit. We help to carry others, and there are some who will carry us from time to time. It is clear for Paul that the Christian faith is not just an individual practice, but the union of all the members of the Church who are working to help others to gain their common goal: holiness in this life, and heaven in the life to come.
Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio.
St. Clare, pray for us.
Coming soon: ECCE SACERDOS. Stay tuned for more information
