[NYer]

To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to "hear or listen to") in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself.

[NYer]

"Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation.42 "

[NYer]

""Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace."27 "

[NYer]

Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by him.

Here is the catechism's response to the question: What is faith?

[drstevej]

*** The Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment.***

Does this mean...

[1] Mary is the perfect embodiment...
[2] Mary is the most nearly perfect embodiment...

Fuzzy language here.

[drstevej]

Westminster Confession of Faith
CHAPTER XIV.
Of Saving Faith.


I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts; and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word: by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatesoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of god himself speaking therein; and acteth differently, upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principle acts of saving faith are, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.

[Pyro7480]

I checked out the link where this is excerpt of the Cathechism is from. The home page is for St. Charles Borromeo parish in Picayune, MS. For a church that was just concecrated in the past 5 years, it is truly beautiful. Here are some pictures from the inside of the Church.

Picture of the Tabernacle, which is modeled after the Ark of the Covenant.

The Sanctuary, with its six statues of angels

The Vestibule

The Nave

Marian Grotto

[Salvation]

Here is a reflection on this subject from today's One Bread, One Body.

It fits, so I hope people don't mind if I post it.

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, May 17, 2003 >>

Acts 13:44-52

Psalm 98

John 14:7-14

View Readings

BELIEVING OR BE LEAVING

“Believe Me.” —John 14:11

Did you know that the word “believe” is used eighty-two times in the gospel of John? Indeed, the very purpose of John’s gospel is that all who read it may “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this” belief you may have eternal life in His name (Jn 20:31).

When a book or passage of Scripture uses the same word that many times, the Lord wants us to get the message. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus refers to believing in Him four times.

If we believe in Jesus and prove that belief by living a new life in Him, we will have eternal life with Him (Jn 6:47; 8:31; 20:31). If we refuse to believe in Him, we will die in our sins (Jn 8:24) and spend eternity separated from Jesus in hell.

John lists some reasons people refuse to believe in Jesus:

• not reading the gospel or ignoring its message (Jn 5:38, 46-47),
• not being willing to come to Jesus for help (Jn 5:39-40),
• a lack of love (Jn 5:42),
• the pride of preferring human approval to God’s approval (Jn 5:43-44), and
• a refusal to believe Jesus’ witnesses (Jn 20:25).

Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the One the Father sent” (see Jn 6:29).  Jesus implores us: “Believe Me” (Jn 14:11).

Prayer: Jesus, “I do believe. Help my” unbelief! (Mk 9:24)

Promise: “All who were destined for life everlasting believed in it. Thus the word of the Lord was carried throughout that area.” —Acts 13:48-49

Praise: Rosa, a teenage single mother, turned to God after the birth of her baby, joined the Catholic Church, and joyfully received the Sacraments for the first time on Pentecost Sunday.

(This teaching was submitted by one of our editors.)