<p>In today’s Council of Catholic Men, we concluded our study of the First Epistle of Saint Peter with chapter 5, reflecting on Saint Peter’s exhortations to clergy and laity: humble service, sober watchfulness, and steadfast resistance to the devil. We traced Peter’s counsel across Scripture—from Romans 12 on fraternal charity, James 4 on humility and resisting the evil one, Psalms and the Gospels on trusting God’s providence, to Luke 12’s urgent call to vigilance and faithful stewardship. We also noted Peter’s closing greeting from “Babylon,” figuratively Rome, and the promise that after a little suffering, the God of all grace will restore and strengthen us.<br /><br />We then turned to the Catechism by Saint Peter Canisius on the ninth article of the Creed, “I believe in the holy Catholic Church,” highlighting the Church’s visibility, unity of faith and sacraments, and universality, supported by Isaiah, the Psalms, John’s Gospel, Paul’s letters, and the Fathers. Finally, we read from Saint Alphonsus Liguori on the martyrdom of Saints Timothy the Lector and Mara his wife, who persevered heroically under persecution, encouraging one another to the end and witnessing to an undivided love for Christ. We closed in prayer, entrusting our cares to the Lord who cares for us.</p>