Schedule | - 10:56 am
Bishop Macedo Explained How Rational Faith and Caring for Those in Distress Can Glorify God’s Name
Reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer, taught by the Lord Jesus, he emphasized that God’s name is sanctified when His teachings are put into practice.
“I understand, I believe that when we live out and practice what we believe, when we obey what we believe, then His name is sanctified through our lives,” he stated.
According to the bishop, one way to demonstrate this faith is to reach out to people facing difficulties—those who are distressed, afflicted, hurt, tired, and overwhelmed, and who no longer know where to turn.
In this regard, he emphasized that helping those in need is not merely an act of solidarity, but also a way to please God and bear witness to the faith.
Furthermore, he explained that when Christians put the Word into practice, others can recognize God’s presence through their actions.
Another important point in the message was the need to develop a rational faith based on God’s promises.
To explain this teaching, the bishop recalled the invitation of the Lord Jesus, recorded in Matthew 11:28,
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He emphasized that God does not require people to pay for His blessings or perform acts of penance to receive His help. What is essential is to believing and obeying His Word.
“That is the secret of faith. Faith is not religion. Faith is not philosophy,” he taught.
The bishop also explained that the Lord Jesus invites people to draw near to Him without imposing religious conditions.
“I have always said that when we take one step toward God, He comes running toward us because He is waiting for that.”
Therefore, regardless of a person’s circumstances, the opportunity to seek God is available to everyone.
During the meditation, the bishop also referenced Romans 12:1–2, a passage in which the apostle Paul instructs Christians to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, offering reasonable service of worship.
Based on this teaching, he explained that faith requires understanding and a conscious decision to trust what God has promised.
“It is not religious service, it is not fanatical service; it is rational, intelligent service.”
He then highlighted the importance of renewing the way we think and not conforming to the patterns of this world.
Throughout the message, the bishop also called on the faithful to take part in a group effort to bring people in distress to meetings at The Universal Church.
The initiative is connected to the Week of Deliverance & Spiritual Warfare, taking place October 26 through November 1.
The purpose will focus especially on those who, according to the spiritual message presented, are facing oppression and disturbances attributed to the work of evil. The bishop mentioned people struggling with conflict, insomnia, depression, and family disunity, as well as those experiencing abandonment and despair.
For this reason, he encouraged participants to invite friends, relatives, acquaintances, and even people experiencing homelessness to seek spiritual help. “Everyone, without exception, is welcome.”
