but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
When I was a child the Catholic religion rarely seemed to use the word Jesus. Even when it tried to show greater reverence to that sacred name it stood back and said, “the Holy Name.”
Then, in the 60’s and 70’s Jesus became all the rage. There were even “Jesus people.” Suddenly, “organized religion” became a bad thing which was supposedly supplanted by spirituality; that is disorganized religion.
The Catholic Church caught some of the fervor
around Jesus and reminded us we must know the Lord in a personal way. It is
not enough to be a “cultural catholic.” But we could not quit being organized. Through it all we have honored the feast days of apostles many times a year. If they organized this religion we are grateful to them.
The apostles represent that vital link between the Risen Lord Jesus and the Church. We rely on their word for our knowledge of him. The apostles faithfully transmitted the gospel intact to their disciples from India to Spain, despite the challenges of travel, misunderstandings, contradictions, egos and persecution. When there were no written documents, the apostles told the stories of Jesus. Their memories did not fail them; they accurately recalled and passed along everything that is necessary for the salvation of the world.
When another generation
of Christians – some better educated than the twelve -- suggested various
interpretations of stories about Jesus, the apostles vigorously opposed every
misunderstanding and enthusiastically encouraged every retelling that got it
right.
They were, of course,
assisted by the Holy Spirit, the same spirit that guided and impelled Jesus throughout
his life. He had schooled them in the life of the Spirit; almost instinctively they could recognize when something was not right. Like sailors, they
knew how to read the wind of the spirit, trimming the sails of their ambitions
to obey the spirit’s guidance.
Some members of every generation
since then have challenged the apostolic church to change its teachings. Some brazenly
declare the apostles misunderstood Jesus from the get-go. They says they have
rediscovered – after all these centuries when the Holy Spirit apparently did nothing – what Jesus really meant to say. Now, they go on, the Spirit has told ME what Jesus really said!
The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church has not failed. To this day we instinctively know what fits the gospel and what does not. The Holy Spirit gives us that infallible assurance. Despite our worse sins, even the betrayal of Judas, the cloud of witnesses announces the Gospel in song, word, sacrament and charitable deeds.
On this feast of Saints Simon and Jude we celebrate God’s gift to the Apostles and and their unfailing fidelity.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.