The Truth That Sets Us Free!
Jesus Christ is our greatest teacher! His companion, St. Paul, provides us with important catechesis for times of adversity and joy. Paul emphasizes that God is faithful and calls us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. He reveals that Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach the Gospel of Christ crucified. This evangelization was a demonstration of the Holy Spirit. He tells us that we are temples of God, and that the Holy Spirit dwells in our bodies. What a great responsibility we have as baptized people of God!
Paul and his followers wrote 14 letters in the New Testament. The final Letter to the Hebrews is more of a treatise than a letter; the unnamed author is credited as a follower of Paul. The main theme is priesthood and the sacrifice of Jesus. This message of encouragement is addressed to Christians in danger of abandoning their faith, not because of persecution, but because the demands of Christian life are challenging. This seems very familiar in 2016! I wonder how St. Paul would address the brothers and sisters in our present day United States.
Habits and trends are repeated; but shame on us for not recognizing past mistakes. We are in a crisis of unprecedented measure. Ideologies in our civilized corner of the world are at war – not just politically, but spiritually. Scripture tells us where this battle is coming from. Why are we so reluctant to talk about the evil that prowls about the world seeking the ruin of souls? Prayer is our greatest weapon, and the grace of God is our strongest protection!
As we follow the Church calendar through Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, Pentecost and the Ascension, reflect on these words from John 14:26: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would be sent to teach and to remind. I pray we can be good students who will never forget what Jesus has done for us!
Christians are concerned about the path being followed in our current culture. Some of the mega churches that seemed to be so attractive are finding people disenchanted with their message. The pews in our Catholic churches are no longer full. The merging of parishes has people upset, but the sadness of these decisions rests on the shoulders of the Baptized Catholics. If people leave the Church for other religions because of a building or a difficult decision made by those in authority, then they do not understand the “Real Presence” of the Eucharist. If Catholics returned to their Baptismal Promises and understood the grace received in all the Sacraments instituted by Christ for His Church, every church pew would be filled, and every rectory would have a priest.
Until we recognize our own responsibility in soldiering for Christ in this battle, we will continue to see the army of God shrink. Our popes through the direction of the Holy Spirit have been instructing us with concern for “evangelization” and the “mercy of God,” which if practiced, could prevent the tough decisions in consolidation. Young couples should embrace the Sacrament of Matrimony within the Church. Without strong practicing Catholic families, the shortage of priests will continue to be a problem. The Truth needs to be preached more often, and we cannot turn away from the message! The greatest teacher, Jesus Christ, is counting on us to share his teachings, and they are Truth! Amen!
