Of this you have already heard
through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you.
Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing,
so also among you....
through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you.
Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing,
so also among you....
Catholics take a particular delight in knowing they belong to a universal communion that spans both space and time. We not only share the word of truth with men and women of every nation on earth, we belong to a Church whose past members live forever; plus those members, yet to be born, who will pray with us in eternity.
The Holy Spirit, descending on the disciples in the Upper Room there in Jerusalem, taught us the language of truth. Truth is the only remedy to the confusion of languages which resulted from Babel's tower of arrogance. "A great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue," speak that one language to one another, and then to leaders in government, business, industry, education, society, and the arts. We are a holy people sent to represent the Lord's call to repentance, atonement, and peace in his Kingdom. Although, like the Lord Jesus, we have no authority to impose our beliefs, customs, and ways on others, we are authorized to speak the truth to those who will listen and to those who won't.
Because we speak the truth we can recognize the problems which stem from our fallen state, especially the ideologies which would announce liberty, equality, and fraternity to a godless world. Each of these ideals have similarities to Christian doctrine, and each is severely compromised by its own contradictions. How can equality promise liberty to a society divided by the familial and amiable loyalties of fraternity? Should parents not give their children the advantages of health care and education? Equality delivers only envy of those equals who have more than their presumptive peers.
The sons and daughters of light, speaking God's own language of truth, must study and critique every human doctrine, even as we announce the authority of the Son of God. If we fail, the Earth fails and is left in pointless orbit around the Sun. Without the dynamic presence of the Church in the world there is no salvation for anyone. We take that responsibility seriously.
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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.