The Catholic Defender: True Religion
In the world of apologetics, it is easy to stay motivated responding to the attacks of the Anti-Catholics which is most important.
James 1:27 tells us, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world".
Certainly this includes being unstained by false doctrines and false philosophy.
The acceptance of worldly humanistic values. We are to stay faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Faith.
St. James does recognize this importance, but he also sees importance to care for those who can not help themselves.
The orphans and widows represent the poor.
Jesus reminded Judas that the Church would always have the poor to support (John 12:8) but that he would not always be with us.
At least not in the normal presence, as Jesus is with us in and through his Catholic Church. Mother St. Theresa of Calcutta recognized Jesus in the poor she cared for so diligently.
Recently, I learned that there are hundreds of thousands of Senior Citizens who live without family in homes where they are left alone.
They no longer are part of their family structure as they become conveniently laid aside. Many of them barely get a picture of loved ones let alone a phone call or personal visit.
There are millions of children abused and neglected in the greatest country of the world.
There have been nearly 60,000,000 abortions in America since 1973. When we see people hurting, Jesus is reflected in their lives. The Lord's word soon come to life, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40).
The Catholic Church as an institution has done far more good to help the poor maintaining hospitals for the sick, orphanages for orphans, safe houses for runaways, soup kitchens for the hungry, and many other important causes in our day.
The pro-life cause is one of the most important battles of our time, the care of the Mothers, the helping the sinner who has lost their way because they were caught stained by the world.
Jesus, through his Church cures the sick and restores the prodigals.
There is still much to be done. Catholics, let's not become complacent and lose ground in the battle for souls. Get involved in your Parish, support your Priest and help out your Diocese.
Money is not always the most important thing, sometimes your time and effort goes along way.
Let's not be caught looking through "Rose Colored Stain Glass Windows" and may we be found serving our Lord in the needs of serving his people.
The Power of the Gospel begins when a person has been Evangelized, the second step is when the Christian has accepted the faith, and finally the third step is when the Convert accepts the Sacraments. It is a three step process of conversion.
That's why any sinners prayer in and of itself is not sufficient. At best it should lead the Christian to the next step where they learn through the process accepting the power of the Gospel making them children of God.
St. Paul explains that some people would not recognize the power of true Religion and we are not to listen to them. We are called to live the life of the Sacraments, that is the Gospel.
