PUTTING KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION
Friday after the Third Week of Lent
My dear encountered couples:
We are all familiar with the answer to that man’s question, aren’t we? “What is the first of all the commandments?” “To love the Lord our God with our entire being, and our neighbors as ourselves.”
The man knew the answer to the most important question that can be posed. “Excellent, teacher, you are right,” he said. He firmly agreed with Christ. And Jesus applauded this man’s insight and wisdom. But apparently, knowing the answer and agreeing with it is not quite enough for getting into heaven. Jesus did not tell him he was fully saved, he just said to the man, “You are not far from the reign of God.”
The man wasn’t far, he was knowledgeable and wise. But he wasn’t there yet.
Is it not the same with us? We know the answer; we are as smart as that man was. But if he wasn’t ready yet to enter into heaven, quite possibly, neither are we. What was there left for that man to do? PUT HIS KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION. Only when we carry out in action what we know should be done will our knowledge do us any good.
Knowing all the right answers to our catechism questions only makes it possible for us to begin the trek up the road to heaven. It is the living of those answers that moves us along that road.
So, let us not, like some people appear to do, merely accept with our minds what Christ has taught, let us show our acceptance in deed. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus approved of that answer. Then said, “Well, what are you standing there for? “Do it!”
