SOLA FIDE?

Today's 1st reading reminds me of a teaching in our Catholicism class entitled, "Rebutting the Principle of Protestantism: Faith Alone (Sola Fide)" There is no doubt to the truth that man needs to be saved because of his "fallen nature" Faith alone doctrine states that justification simply means being "declared righteous" We can not just be declared righteous but we have to be made righteous by not continuing to sin. Amen. Hallelujah!

Roman 7:21-24:
So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?

It is stated in the Catechism of the Catholic church (CCC) 1949:
Called to beatitude but wounded by sin, man stands in need of salvation from God. Divine help comes to him in Christ through the law that guides him and the grace that sustains him: Philippians 2:12-13:Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

The devil has acquired a certain domination in man. Man is dominated by greed, pride and lust.
CCC 407:
The doctrine of original sin, closely connected with that of redemption by Christ, provides lucid discernment of man's situation and activity in the world. By our first parents' sin, the devil has acquired a certain domination over man, even though man remains free. Original sin entails "captivity under the power of him who thenceforth had the power of death, that is, the devil." (Hebrews 2:14)

Ignorance of the fact that man has a wounded nature inclined to evil gives rise to serious errors in the areas of education, politics, social action, and morals.

1 John 5:19
We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness,idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions,occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

We are engaged in a battle that has been won but does not stop there since we have to always put on our guard for the enemy does not rest. He called the whole process of being saved as "justification" .

"Man is saved by God's grace alone based on CCC 1996. Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life. (Jn 1:12-18; 17:3; Rom 8:14-17; 2 Pet 1:3-4.)

-The question is how does the grace of God become an active part of our life or "by what are we justified?" The example he gave here was a newborn baby who is baptized. A baby has not merited anything yet but is saved by the mere act of being baptized. He mentioned about Martin Luther's despair about his salvation which led him to formulate the doctrine of justification by "Faith alone" He misunderstood the Bible passage Rom 3:28 which mentioned faith alone apart from works of the law. Paul in this letter to the Romans was pertaining to the Jewish Law which is being practiced during their time like circumcision, washing of the hands and the like which are practices that can not really justify a person.

Romans 3:21-30
...For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God...

Justification actually means being "made righteous" i.e. it entails the sanctification of his whole being (CCC 1989, 1990, &1995) We are justified not by faith alone nor by works alone. Justification has its stages i.e. initial and progressive. Initial justification takes place at our baptism. We still have a tendency to backslide and during the hour of death is the period of intense spiritual battle over our soul. That is why we need to mature in our faith.
Certainty of Salvation "Once saved, always saved?" If we believe in this it tends to put off our guard. (1 Jn 5:13-14) We should say instead "I know I am saved, still being saved and will continue to be saved." Justification is a life long process as stated by Paul in 1 Cor. 4:3-5, 9:27.
In Phil 2:12 Paul also encouraged us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. For the enemy is waging war on us and we need to be very aware of this and claim God's protection over us at all times. (Eph.6:11-12)


Epistles against works? I guess there have been some misunderstanding here of the following bible verses: Rom. 3:28 (Obedience of faith) We should be aware of the truth that we know we are saved, still being saved and will continue to be saved as stated by Paul in 1 Cor. 4:3-5, 9:27. In Phil 2:12 Paul also encouraged us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. For the enemy is waging war on us and we need to be very aware of this and claim God's protection over us at all times. (Eph.6:11-12)
Martin Luther based his belief on faith alone on this specific verse he failed to see that Paul in addition to what I've mentioned earlier was attacking the Jews with regards to their ceremonial laws and that it is not enough to just hear the law but to observe it. (Rom 4:5 Total adherence) An example he gave was attending the mass not just as an obligation but with the heart. Consider it a privilege and do it for the love of God. He said we are saved by grace not by works but we obtain the grace of God by good works and the motive is mercy (Eph. 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5) as in today's psalm. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 130:1b-2. 3-4. 5-6ab
R: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. ... If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? 4 But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered...

Here are several bible passages cited to us by Atty Moya that support the need for us to cooperate and work with God. James 2: 14-22 & 24 say that faith without action is dead. From the gospel of Matthew: What must I do to be saved? (Mt. 19:16-21) When the rich man asked this question he was told to keep the commandments and he said he already did so Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor for he is very attached to his possessions that he has to let go of all attachments. We are also called to keep our fire burning for the Lord so that we don't end up like the 5 virgins in the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Mt 25:1-13. The same principle applies with the Parable of the Talents or Silver pieces that we have to cultivate the goodness in ourselves and let it grow. It is also very clear from Mt. 25 31-46 which mentions about the last judgment that we can not just accept the Grace of salvation but needs to do our part, too since it specifically stated here that whatever we have failed to do will go to eternal punishment. Also it is stated in Mt 7:21-27 that we need to live His words because not everybody who says "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven for there is a need to turn away from our wrongdoings. He said that there is no dichotomy between Christ and His doctrine. If we really believe in God then we also need to do what He teaches. We have to do the Works of Mercy (CCC 2447) The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. (Isa 58:6-7; Heb 13:3.) Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.(Mt 25:31-46.) Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:(Tob 4:5-11; Sir 17:22; Mt 6:2-4) He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food must do likewise.(Lk 3:11.) But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you.(Lk 11:41) If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?(Jas 2:15-16; 1 Jn 3:17)

Galatians 5:6:For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 1 Cor. 13:1-3 If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. In conclusion: We are saved by God's "Grace Alone" through Faith that works in Love which is also the message in today's gospel. Let us not be deceived by the thought that we already know everything there is to know about God. We have an infinite God, endless in love, mercy and all the good things we can ever think about. Let us always be open and docile so that our knowledge of God will grow more and more in each passing day.
Sometimes we complain that life is not fair when things happen to us without doing anything that deserves what we're getting. It is just not fair at times and we would just have to trust that God will always make things right for us. There are times too when we don't realize that we could have known that some things are bound to come to us. It could or could not be of our own doing or of others. Whatever it may be we have to be aware of the responsibility in our hands. We can not always evade the real issue and try to hide the real picture. If we are confronted or got caught in a really messy situation, it is irrelevant to keep on looking for somebody to blame and do something foolish. Just like the scribes and Pharisees in today's gospel. Being the learned and respected group of people they could have acted positively when they were corrected and reprimanded. Instead of wallowing up in their pride and exacting revenge they could have been receptive and considered it as a jolt or eye opener to change for the better rather than act in hostility. Sometimes it is our initial reaction or natural instinct to fight back or retaliate against someone who places us in an embarrassing situation. It is clear that in today's gospel the scribes and Pharisees need to be corrected but whether we deserve something like it or not is always good to respond positively. Sometimes we get a share of nasty comments that are sometimes out of line but we can always respond and act in all calmness rather than with hostility. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 11:47-54
...Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! 52 Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” 53 When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, 54 for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.