Proverbs 27: 17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.Full chapter here.
Every time I read this verse, I think of accountability and how important that it is in our faith. If we are part of the Body of Christ, we're accountable to one another to get each other to heaven to be in communion with God because that's how He made us.
What's awesome about living in a small community of a Catholic household with other like-minded and like-souled (is that a word?) guys is that we can hold each other accountable for our actions and our practice of our Catholic faith. I can remember the times when a housemate would ask me if I wanted to go to Mass or pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet with him, and I'd say yes even though I initially didn't want to. I can remember a few times of inviting a housemate or two to men's groups so we can deepen our faith together.
A lot of my free time is devoted to various ministries. I'm held accountable by the people I minister to because they expect me and desire me to truly live out what it means to be Catholic. Out of simple honor, I do not want to let them down. They help motivate me to be stronger in my faith so I can be who God created me to be so that I may offer myself fully as a real Catholic to them.
A sword doesn't get sharp unless it is on fire and open to being formed by another piece of metal.
So, too, then am I. I'm en fuego. My faith gets sharper if other people hold me accountable for the faith that I have. Because of this verse, I seek out ways and people to hold me accountable for my Catholic faith. And just as they hold me accountable, I hold them accountable.
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the people you have put in my life to help me grow in a deeper relationship with you. I pray that I am the man that you created me to be so that I can set the world on fire, as St. Catherine of Siena once said. All this I pray in your name through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!
- JD
Sharpening a katana // Extremely Sharp Swords & Knives
