Living the truth of our faith can be very difficult. We are all guilty of trying to modify a teaching of our faith to make it easier to live. It could be the Church’s teaching on sexual morality, or marriage, or receiving the Sacraments. Unfortunately, when we do this, it stunts our growth toward holiness and limits our spiritual maturity. It is like cheating at working out. Who am I really hurting? ME! Worse, I am lying to myself by thinking I am improving my life when I am actually hurting myself.
Not living the truth causes you to avoid modifying those behaviors in your life that are leading you toward sin and away from Christ. Using the workout analogy, by cheating on your workouts, you are not receiving the health benefits because you did not endure the pain required to build muscle or burn fat. You are kept weak, and your physical growth is stunted. The same is true in your spiritual life. Had you lived in the truth, you would have made different decisions, made the character changes necessary to fulfill them, grown in maturity and ability, and drawn closer to God. (This is always the fruit of living in the truth.)
What truth are you not living fully? Pray for the graces needed to obtain the courage to take the bold steps needed to fully live the truth of your Catholic faith. While this can be very difficult, the fruit will be abundant peace and joy.
“But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” – John 3:21
Originally posted 2014-07-10 06:00:52.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.