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In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul promises us that God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom. There are many things in our faith that do not make sense at first pass, such as the mystery of the Eucharist, but we can study and learn and thus deepen our faith by understanding it better. Reason enhances faith, it does not oppose it, but not without spending time learning.

On this Feast of the Beheading of St. John Baptist we remember that our faith is often counter-cultural. Do we have the courage, as did John the Baptist, to speak that word of faith that might convert others?

John the Baptist was a prisoner of Herod and was ultimately beheaded because he reminded Herod of a past sin that he could not get beyond. We do not have to be haunted by sin because we have the great Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Jesus' own friends and family wondered where his faith came from. The same happens today for those who enter religious life, people wonder at their faith, and hopefully celebrate it as well, because faith comes from God.

Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to follow him, and he came immediately. With others, Jesus knew he had to be more subtle. As we reach out to share the Good News with others, we need to always think about what approach we should use to best reach them—the direct approach, or long years of open handed friendship.

The law of God is not to be followed blindly because it is designed to bring us freedom. However, this is not always obvious to us, and thus we need to study God's Law, particularly when we disagree with some part of it and feel like setting it aside. Every part is made for our flourishing.

God sent his Son to redeem us, and never gives up on that goal. Thus, God's patience with us never runs out.

God gives us faith, but God also provides other gifts to supplement and support our faith, such as goodness, knowledge, endurance, and love. Let us make use of these further gifts to grow our faith.

Lydia, a rich believer, invites the disciples to stay with her in her home and they accept. She is just one example of many benefactors that assist the apostles work, just as they assisted Jesus' work. To further the Good News, we need to avail ourselves of the gifts of all God's people, not just some.

We are called to love one another, and often this opens us up to suffering. But the mystery of the cross and resurrection of Jesus reveals that this suffering, which is painful, will be transformed into something beautiful, and so we can embrace it.

Peter and the apostles gave bold witness to their faith, and people listened. We should do the same today.

Jesus tells us that he did not come to condemn the world but to save it. So when we sin, we should not run away. We should run to Jesus, the light of the world.