"And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19).
The world of Christianity is so congested today with many different denominations, and with countless independent churches. Apart from the Eastern churches and the Protestant churches - which broke away from the main Church in 1054 and 1517, respectively, but still share the same baptism - there are a multitude of new-age Christian churches existing alongside the Roman Catholic Church.
CONFUSION IN CHRISTENDOM
Many seekers of Christ are, therefore, confused of where to find him. In the same way many Catholics do doublt whether Jesus is really present in the Catholic Church. So some who were born of Catholics, and baptized as Catholics have left for other Churches. Still some have abandoned the faith, while some go to church for formality. Therefore, among the over 1 billion and 345 million baptized Catholics in the world, there are many believers, doubters, slumberers, wanderers and betrayers.
WHY I BELIEVE
Now, you who believe in the Catholic Church: is it only because you were born of Catholics and baptized a Catholic? As for me, I have more than that reason to believe in the Catholic Church. Follow me! "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH
The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 16:18-19). The splits that occurred in the church later in the 11th and 15th centuries do not cast any doubt on the originality and the power of the church, but ratherc confirms what Christ said, "not even death will ever be able to overcome it". That is why the Catholic Church is alive and active since it was founded 2022 years ago. - and with the Roman Catholics being the largest denomination with over 1.3 billion baptized members in 2019.
 |
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE BOAT OF SALVATION |
JESUS'S PROMISE
Jesus knew well (and allowed) that trials and tribulations would come against his Church. But he promised that "even death will never overcome it" (Matthew 16:18). This assures me that the one - Jesus Christ - who defeated Satan by his death on the cross (Colossians 2:15, and also overcame death by his resurrection from the dead (Colossians 2:12), will always be with the Church no matter what' happens. For as it is written: "Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
THE KEYS OF SALVATION
To St Peter, Jesus gave "the keys of the Kingdom of heaven" and the authority "to do and to undo". In other words, Jesus Christ was giving to the Church the keys or the means of eternal salvation. This divine grace, power and authority was transmitted from St Peter - the first Pope - to the subsequent popes by the rite of papal succession. The Vatican, which is the seat of the Catholic Church on earth, is erected on the tomb of St Peter in Rome. The millions of Catholics and tourists, from all over the world, who visit the St Peter Basilica every year can testify to this.
BENEFIT OF PROOF
As for you who doubt or deny the power and authority of Christ in the Catholic Church, read what the scripture says: "The choices and promises of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29). This is the proof: after the promise was made to Peter he, later denied Jesus - during his trial - three times (Matthew 26:69-75),. But when Jesus rose from the dead he did not take back the promise; rather, he confirmed it, three times (John 21:15-17) - before he had ascended into heaven. Therefore, whoever believes in Jesus Christ should believe in the Catholic Church; if not, their belief in him is pretentious or false. For if one does not believe that Christ will or can deliver on his promises to the Church (Matthew 16:18-19), how can the one believe that Jesus would deliver on any other promise he made to them in the Bible?
BOAT OF SALVATION
The Catholic Church is holy - not so because it is made of holy people - but because Jesus Christ, who is the Foundation, the Pillar and the Canopy of the Church is holy. In fact, the Church - as the Boat of Salvation - is the fellowship of sinners with Christ. For Christ came to call but sinners, (Luke 9:28-32:), not to keep them as sinners, but to lead them through the storms and temptations of life on to holiness. This is why the Catholic Church on earth is called the Pilgrim Church. Thus, in the Catholic Church Jesus is actively present in the Word of God (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:12), the Eucharist (John 6:35, 51), the Holy Spirit (John 15:26), the Priest (John 20:21-23; Matthew 16:19), and in the Congregation (Matthew 18:20). Thus, through the Word of God he teaches and admonishes the faithful; through the Holy Spirit he vivifies, sanctifies and directs the Church; in the Eucharist he redeems and nourishes the Church; and in the Priesthood he administers both the spiritual and temporary goods of the Church - including the Sacraments, which are the channels of divine grace to the believers.
PROBLEM WITH CATHOLICS
The problem with many Catholics is that they do not really believe in, or act according to, their confession of faith in the Apostolic Creed, "I believe in God the Father, Almighty........ I believe in the holy Catholic Church,.... and life everlasting, Amen". Whereas the scriptures say "It is by our faith that we are justified" and "by our confession we are saved" (Romans 10:10). It is also written:"Faith without action is dead" (James 2:26). But t seems like God has been so humble (Phillipians 2:6-8), and so close to us in the Catholic Church (Matthew 1:23) that we no longer believe that He is God - the one whom we seek. That is why many people ignore Jesus in the Tabernacle and, then, go looking for him in the wilderness - and to no avail.
JESUS IS IGNORED
The time has come for us Catholics to cry out to the Lord, as the Apostles did, "Lord make our faith greater (Luke 17:5), as the father of the boy said, "I have faith, but not enough; help me to have more" (Mark 9:24) - and Jesus will answer: "I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail you' (Luke 22:32). Then we would realize how long we have been with God without recognizing him. In the walk to Emmaus, the resurrected Jesus revealed himself to two of his disciples during the breaking of bread (Luke 24:30-32). It is the same in the Catholic Church - in the celebration of the Mass, Jesus Christ is mystically present as the host and the victim of the Eucharistic sacrifice.
TRIBULATIONS IN THE CHURCH
Therefore, the trials, tribulations and even scandals we may find in the Church must not blind us to the presence of Jesus Christ, as the Captain of the boat and the Master of the waves. It is useful for us to ask and answer these questions: Why were the Apostles tormented by the winds and the waves in the high seas when Jesus was with them in the same boat? (Mark 4:35-41) Why did the wind come against Jesus's disciples when he made them to enter the boat and to go ahead of him to Bethsaida? (Mark 6:45:51) In both cases, wasn't Jesus Christ aware of their situation? And didn't he act, at last, to save them? The scriptures say "the Word of God is alive and active" (Hebrews 4:12), and also, "Call to me and I will answer you". (Jeremiah 33:3). So what we, Catholics (the chosen ones,) should be doing is:-living the Word of God and praying every day. It is no use slumbering on our Faith, only to criticize and condemn the Church, to flirt with other churches. or to quit the Church altogether.
REQUEST FOR DONATIONS
CATHOLIC FRONT is a private Catholic media organ. We write and post articles and spiritual reflections for free.
WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS TO :
+ Upgrade and maintain our website;
+ Add platforms and expand our network;
+ Sustain and foster our work.
Kindly donate to support our mission of Catechism and Evangelism to the world.
Send donations to :
MTN MoMo A/C: +237 6 72 65 90 14
A/C Name: Aying Mendem Godman
For inquiry about other ways of supporting us: Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
HELP US TO SERVE YOU BETTER
HOLD ON TO THE FAITH
As the scriptures say, "Those who endure to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:11-13), and "They whose faith is not enduring shall not endure" (Isaiah 7:9b). For faith that is firm is also patient (Isaiah 28:16). Therefore, let us ask for faith (Mark 9:24), pray for the Church (Ephesians 6:18) and stand firm in the Faith of the Catholic Church (1 Corinthians 16 :13). For on judgement day many will regret for having left the Church - the boat of salvation. Then it would be borne in on them that the many spectacles staged around the world, and which carried them away from the Catholic Church, were not the works of God, but of the false prophets. (Matthew 24 :23-26). From the days of the first Christians to today there have been countless accounts of miraculous healing, deliverance, success and all kinds of divine blessings among the believers. But these true miracles of God are evident only to the faithful and active Christians of the Church. Unfaithful and idle spectators may have no story to tell. So after reading this post, put your faith in action so that you, too, may witness and testify to the presence of the living God in the holy Catholic Church.
CATHOLIC FRONT WHATSAPP CHAT
JOIN CATHOLIC FRONT WHATSAPP CHAT TO LEARN & SHAR THE FAITH OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Click on this link:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KLwCm0e7M3o8JsvzlBzwop
YOU'RE WELCOME HOME!
Author: Aying Godman, is a Catechist, Evangelist & Blogger of the Roman Church; Founder of CATHOLIC FRONT MEDIA™
Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
Copyright (c) Aying Godman - Catholic Front Media (2021-2022) All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment