Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
Daily Archive
Pope Benedict on Justification
Posted by Fr. Aquinas on 19 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
Still 
troubled by Luther’s doctrine of justification? Does sola fide keep you up at night? Fear not. Pope Benedict isn’t worried. Read below to see why.
GENERAL AUDIENCE
November 19, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On the journey we have undertaken under the guidance of St. Paul, we now wish to reflect on a topic that is at the center of the controversies of the century of the Reformation: the issue of justification. How is a man just in the eyes of God? When Paul met the Risen One on the road to Damascus he was a fulfilled man: irreproachable in regard to justice derived from the law (cf. Philippians 3:6); he surpassed many of his contemporaries in the observance of the Mosaic prescriptions and was zealous in upholding the traditions of his forefathers (cf. Galatians 1:14).
The illumination of Damascus changed his life radically: He began to regard all his merits, achievements of a most honest religious career, as “loss” in face of the sublimity of knowledge of Jesus Christ (cf. Philippians 3:8). The Letter to the Philippians gives us a moving testimony of Paul’s turning from a justice based on the law and achieved by observance of the prescribed works, to a justice based on faith in Christ: He understood all that up to now had seemed a gain to him was in fact a loss before God, and because of this decided to dedicate his whole life to Jesus Christ (cf. Philippians 3:7). The treasure hidden in the field, and the precious pearl in whose possession he invests everything, were no longer the works of the law, but Jesus Christ, his Lord.
New Construction Photos
Posted by Fr. Aquinas on 19 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Parish News
Take a look at these recent construction photos. As you can see, the new copper roof is nearly completed. And it seems that the masonry is cleaning up nicely. The stone carvings look brand new!
For those of you tired of the scaffolding, take heart. The end is in sight.
