Faith and righteousness

Good News ReflectionMonday of the 29th Week in Ordinary TimeOctober 19, 2009
Today's Memorial: Sts. John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and their companions, martyrs
Today's Readings:Rom 4:20-25Luke 1:69-75 (with 68)Luke 12:13-21http://www.usccb.org/nab/101909.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_10_19.mp3
Faith and righteousness
In a later chapter of Saint Paul's letter to the Romans, he says that all things (even the bad, even the frightening, even what seems destructive) can work together for the good of those who love the Lord (v. 8:28). How is that possible? How does it happen? The answer is found in today's reading.
Like Abraham's faith, our faith in God is credited to us as righteousness. Unlike Abraham, who was a model of outstanding faith, you and I are not fully convinced that God will do everything that he has promised. Otherwise, we'd never despair or fear or lose hope. But the good news is this: Jesus was handed over to death for our sins and raised up by the Father for our JUSTIFICATION. In other words, Jesus paid the price of our sins. Justice has been served, and if we have faith in the gift of his sacrifice, we are righteous – we are holy.
Our righteousness can only be truly understood in the context of God's salvation plan.
By having faith in Christ's ability and his desire to take upon himself the destruction that we've caused with our sins, and by having faith in the power of God the Father to raise Jesus from the dead FOR OUR REDEMPTION, we are righteous, we are holy. We receive the redemption of our souls (giving us eternal life in heaven) and in our everyday circumstances (turning bad situations into blessings).
By the mercy of God, what was bad is redeemed. Our sins, when we regret them, lead us to Christ's redemption. Our need for forgiveness becomes our path of holiness.
The same holds true in everything else that's bad. By letting Christ be the Redeemer of everything that's not heavenly in our lives, tragedies become opportunities for great triumphs as they strengthen us in compassion and endurance and other fruits of holy living.
Diseases and hardships become purificators that cleanse us of selfishness and teach us to offer our sufferings to Christ for the sake of the redemption of others.
Difficult relationships become lessons in learning how to love everyone unconditionally.
Hardships become ministries that reach out to others, enabling us to make a difference in ways that would otherwise be impossible.
Because we place our faith in Jesus as Redeemer, we are righteous. The more we rely on this truth, the more we're empowered by faith to live righteously.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe