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1) A flawed Catholic strives to be an involved member of a flawed Catholic community.
2) The Catholic Church is “One”, “Catholic”, “Holy” and “Apostolic.”
3) “The Church is the People that God gathers in the whole world. She exists in local communities (diocese & parish) and is made real as a liturgical, above all a Eucharistic, assembly. She draws her life from the Word and the Body of Christ and so herself becomes Christ’s Body.”
4) “The one mediator, Christ, established and ever sustains here on earth his holy Church, the community of faith, hope, and charity, as a visible organization through which he communicates truth and grace to all.”
5) “The church’s first purpose is to be the sacrament of the inner union of people with God.”
6) The word “Church” means “convocation.” It designates the assembly of those for whom God’s Word “convokes”, i.e., gathers together to form the People of God, and who themselves, nourished with the Body of Christ, become the Body of Christ.”
7) ”The Church is both visible and spiritual, a hierarchical society and the Mystical Body of Christ. She is one, yet formed of two components, human and divine. That is her mystery, which only faith can accept.”
8) “The Church as the People of God—”a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” One becomes a member by being “born anew” that is through Baptism, the Holy Spirit and faith in Jesus Christ . The Head of the Church is Jesus Christ as the anointed Messiah.”
9) “The status of this people is that of the dignity and freedom of the children of God, in whose hearts the Holy Spirit dwells as in a temple.”
10) The Law of the Church “is the new commandment to love as Christ loved us. This is the “new” law of the Holy Spirit.”
11) The Mission of the Church “is to be salt of the earth and light of the world.” And the Destiny of the Church “is the kingdom of God which has been begun by God himself on earth and which must be further extended until it has been brought to perfection by him at the end of time.”
12) “The Church is the Body of Christ. Through the Sprit and his action in the sacraments, above all the Eucharist, Christ, who once was dead and is now risen, establishes the community of believers as his own Body.”
13) The Church is the Bride of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the soul, as it were, of the Mystical Body, the source of its life, of its unity in diversity, and of the riches of its gifts and charisms.”
14) “The Church is one: she acknowledges one Lord, confession of one faith, is born of one Baptism, forms only one Body, is given life by the one Spirit, for the sake of one hope, at whose fulfillment all divisions will be overcome.”
15) “The Church is Holy: the Most Holy God is her author; Christ, her bridegroom, gave himself up to make her holy; the Spirit of holiness gives her life. Since she still includes sinners, she is ‘the sinless one made up of sinners.’ Her holiness shines in the saints; in Mary.”
16)”The Church is catholic: she proclaims the fullness of the faith. She bears in herself and administers the totality of the means of salvation. She is sent out to all peoples. She speaks to all. She encompasses all times.”
17) “The Church is Apostolic. She is built on a lasting foundation of Christ and the Apostles. She is upheld infallibly in the truth: Christ governs her through Peter and the other apostles, who are present in their successors, the Pope and the college of bishops.”
18) “To proclaim the faith and to plant his reign, Christ sends his apostles and their successors. He gives them a share in his own mission. From him they receive the power to act in his person.”
19) “The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. The bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St Peter, is ‘head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth.’ The Pope enjoys, by divine institution “supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls.”
20) “The Bishops, established by the Holy Spirit, succeed the apostles. They are ‘the visible source and foundation of unity in their own particular Churches (Dioceses).”
21) “Lay people share in Christ’s priesthood: ever more united with him, they exhibit the grace of Baptism and Confirmation in all dimensions of their personal, family, social, and ecclesial lives, and so fulfill the call to holiness addressed to all baptized.”
22) “By virtue of their prophetic mission, lay people ‘are called to be witnesses to Christ in all circumstances and at the very heart of the community of mankind.”
Quotations taken from Catechism of the Catholic Church, pp. 198, 203, 205-07, 213, 230, 245-246
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I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
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A name or image of the Church is the Sheepfold
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Another image of the Church is the “Cultivated Field” such as the vine and branches.
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I am the vine. You are the branches. Remain in me as I remain in you. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. My Father is glorified by your bearing much fruit. Jn 15
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The Church is the people of God built like a strong building with Christ as the corner-stone and we are all built on him to form a holy temple of God.
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Like a strong building the Church is built on the foundation of Christ and the Apostles. Centered in Christ our lives share the same life of Christ that is nurtured in the Sacraments.
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These statements about the Catholic Community present a lot of material for reflection. Do they help you understand your own life as a Catholic in a Catholic community? Is there any particular statement (s) that caught your attention? It is time to give yourself a break. The beautiful fall scene appeals to you. You like to walk and reflect in this lovely nature setting. Why not invite the Lord along for a conversation and discussion on your being a Catholic. It may take a lot of time.
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Invite the Lord to take a walk for some sight seeing and some conversation. You have a lot to share after reflecting on some of the above statements. He has questions to ask you about your Catholic life.
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The beauty and serenity of this fall scene may not aptly reflect your image of the church as you experience it. A slow walk with the Lord through this lovely place will make for a rich experience to share & learn. Be in no hurry to finish this walk and conversation.
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Post Script:
While on your walk you had an extended conversation with the Lord covering a wide range of topics touching on your own Catholic Community and your place in it.
Presumably the leaping lamb on the right would not best illustrate your zeal and excitement about being a Catholic and a member of your parish community.
So what image would you use to describe your inner heartfelt faith as a Catholic in your parish community?
If none of these fit then search for a more personal image and share it with the Lord and others.
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Lord, I’m barely hanging on to my faith and practice as a Catholic. My connection seems very tenuous. Will you catch me if I fall? How do I get a stronger hold on my Catholic life?
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We all think every homily sounds the same. It is hard to stay awake spiritually and not be drawn down into boredom. Do we expect to be entertained too much when we come to Church? It has been a long morning with all those songs that we didn’t like.
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Lord, I’m still searching for the meaning of my life. Church stuff doesn’t seem too important now. Am I confused? Lazy? How do I get out of this spiritual prone position?
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