Among the biblical scriptures most often used to defend the selection of Peter, and his successors, to lead the Church which Jesus founded is this passage from St. Matthew: "When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples "Who do people say that the Son of Man is? They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt. 16:13-19).
One interesting biblical fact that points clearly to Simon Peter's primacy among the twelve apostles and his importance to Christ's earthly ministry, is that he is mentioned by name (Simon, Peter, Cephas, Kephas) 195 times in the New Testament. The next most mentioned apostle is St. John, who is mentioned 29 times. Whenever the apostles were named, Peter was always first. Sometimes the apostles were referred to as "Peter and those who were with him". On Pentecost it was Peter who first preached to the crowds and he worked the first healing. (If these apostles could heal people, what makes it so hard to believe that any Pope in the line of Peter couldn't do the same thing). Peter led the first council in Jerusalem and announced the first dogmatic decision.
Popes are the guardians of doctrine. Their task is to pass on, in its integrity, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and the Holy Spirit protects them in this. Were there "bad popes"? Yes there were. These men were not holy men! Maybe Peter was the best model for human failure in such a leadership role. Peter did deny Jesus three times. Some who are called, stumble and fall. Some like Peter repent and are saved. Others like Judas reject that grace. We need to remember that Jesus does not call saints. He calls sinners.
The moral miracle of the "bad popes" is that they were worldly men, public sinners, and never functioned as spiritual leaders nor touched or changed the deposit of faith of Christianity!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
What is the Mass?
Catholics worship God in a variety of ways, but the main communal worship is the Liturgy of the Eucharist or the Mass. As far back as the Acts of the Apostles and St. Paul's epistles, we find the Christian community gathering to celebrate the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist.
The Church teaches that the Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary, which is misunderstood by some. The Catholic Church does not teach that the Mass is a re-crucifixion of Christ, who does not suffer and die again in the Mass. The Church believes that Christ's death is once for all. Through his intercessary ministry in heaven and through the Mass, Jesus continues to offer himself to his Father as a LIVING sacrifice.
In the catacombs in Rome, the tombs of martyrs were used as alters for the earliest forms of the Mass. Very early on, the Church saw the Mass as a mystical reality in which the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is renewed. In response to Protestant sects who denied that the Eucharist is anything more than a memorial, the Council of Trent (1545-63) said that "The same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross, is present and offered in an unbloody manner" in the Mass.
The Old Testament predicted that Christ would offer a true sacrifice to God using bread and wine. In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest, offered sacrifice under the form of bread and wine. Psalm 110 predicted that Christ would be a priest "after the order of Melchizedek," that is offering a sacrifice in bread and wine. The Mass meets this need.
The Church Council Vatican 2 explains the Mass in these words: "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharist sacrifice of his body and blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the centuries until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us". (Sacrosanctum Concilium 47).
The Mass is a memorial and a sacrifice. The Mass is the Church's way of fulfilling Christ's command at the Last Supper, to "Do this in remembrance of me." As a memorial of the Last Supper, the Mass is also a sacred banquet, in which we participate in our presence and our role in the liturgy and through the reception of Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Church teaches that the Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary, which is misunderstood by some. The Catholic Church does not teach that the Mass is a re-crucifixion of Christ, who does not suffer and die again in the Mass. The Church believes that Christ's death is once for all. Through his intercessary ministry in heaven and through the Mass, Jesus continues to offer himself to his Father as a LIVING sacrifice.
In the catacombs in Rome, the tombs of martyrs were used as alters for the earliest forms of the Mass. Very early on, the Church saw the Mass as a mystical reality in which the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is renewed. In response to Protestant sects who denied that the Eucharist is anything more than a memorial, the Council of Trent (1545-63) said that "The same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross, is present and offered in an unbloody manner" in the Mass.
The Old Testament predicted that Christ would offer a true sacrifice to God using bread and wine. In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest, offered sacrifice under the form of bread and wine. Psalm 110 predicted that Christ would be a priest "after the order of Melchizedek," that is offering a sacrifice in bread and wine. The Mass meets this need.
The Church Council Vatican 2 explains the Mass in these words: "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharist sacrifice of his body and blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the centuries until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us". (Sacrosanctum Concilium 47).
The Mass is a memorial and a sacrifice. The Mass is the Church's way of fulfilling Christ's command at the Last Supper, to "Do this in remembrance of me." As a memorial of the Last Supper, the Mass is also a sacred banquet, in which we participate in our presence and our role in the liturgy and through the reception of Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Call no man Father?
Why do Catholics call their priests "Father"?. Does it not say in scripture to call no man father? Many non-Catholics believe that when Catholics do this, they are participating in a practice that Jesus condemned.
To understand what Jesus meant, we have to read 5 consecutive verses of Matthew which are 23:8-12: "But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The great among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be exalted."
When reading the above verses, we see that Jesus condemned the use of the word "father, "rabbi", and "instructor." Why? It is because the Jewish leaders "loved to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market places, and to have people call them rabbi." (Matthew 23:6-7). Jesus was condemning the Pharisees who were so full of pride. Their proud hearts were completely corrupt. The Pharisees had elevated themselves above God as the ultimate authorities, as father image and teachers. They failed to look up to God as the source of all authority, fatherhood, and teaching. Jesus was telling them to humble themselves and to stop seeking those titles for themselves.
It appears that the objection of some to calling a living man a spiritual father is because it equals a priest with God the Father. When Catholics call priests "father" we are saying that he is our spiritual father and he gives us our spiritual leadership. We are not elevating the priest to the level of God the Father. Catholics, of course, recognize the sovereign Fatherhood of God alone!!!!
There are many, many verses in Scripture in which the inspired writers call spiritual leaders "father". In Acts 7:2-4, Stephen refers to the ancestors of Abraham, the word "father" being used. In Philippians 2:22, Paul said, "But Timothy's worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel." St. Paul refers to himself as the father of believers in 1 Corinthians 4:14-15, "I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the gospel.". The last example I will give you is 1 John 2:13: "I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one."
In Matthew 23 Jesus invokes us not to call anyone "teacher" or "master". Yet many non-Catholics have no problem calling someone "teacher" and use the word "doctor", which is Latin for "teacher".
To understand what Jesus meant, we have to read 5 consecutive verses of Matthew which are 23:8-12: "But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The great among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be exalted."
When reading the above verses, we see that Jesus condemned the use of the word "father, "rabbi", and "instructor." Why? It is because the Jewish leaders "loved to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market places, and to have people call them rabbi." (Matthew 23:6-7). Jesus was condemning the Pharisees who were so full of pride. Their proud hearts were completely corrupt. The Pharisees had elevated themselves above God as the ultimate authorities, as father image and teachers. They failed to look up to God as the source of all authority, fatherhood, and teaching. Jesus was telling them to humble themselves and to stop seeking those titles for themselves.
It appears that the objection of some to calling a living man a spiritual father is because it equals a priest with God the Father. When Catholics call priests "father" we are saying that he is our spiritual father and he gives us our spiritual leadership. We are not elevating the priest to the level of God the Father. Catholics, of course, recognize the sovereign Fatherhood of God alone!!!!
There are many, many verses in Scripture in which the inspired writers call spiritual leaders "father". In Acts 7:2-4, Stephen refers to the ancestors of Abraham, the word "father" being used. In Philippians 2:22, Paul said, "But Timothy's worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel." St. Paul refers to himself as the father of believers in 1 Corinthians 4:14-15, "I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the gospel.". The last example I will give you is 1 John 2:13: "I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one."
In Matthew 23 Jesus invokes us not to call anyone "teacher" or "master". Yet many non-Catholics have no problem calling someone "teacher" and use the word "doctor", which is Latin for "teacher".
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Faith and Works
The Protestant Reformation in 1517 began the discussion of "faith alone" vs. "faith and works" for salvation. Roman Catholicism teaches that we are not saved by faith alone. The Church has taught this since 30 AD. This truth can be seen from Sacred Scripture.
All who say they are "Christian" will be able to agree on the following two truths: salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8) and salvation is through Christ alone (Acts 4:12). The Bible tells us we must have faith in order to be saved (Hebrews 11:6). Yet is faith nothing more than believing and trusting? When you look at the Scriptures, we see faith also involves consent to God's truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13), obedience to Him (Romans 1:5, 16:26), and it must be working in love (Galatians 5:6). These ideas appeared to be missing by the reformers, yet they are just as important as believing and trusting.
Do our works mean anything? According to Jesus they do (Matthew 25:31-46). The people rewarded and punished are done so by their actions. And our thoughts (Matthew 15:18-20) and words (James 3:6-12) are accountable as well. In Matthew 19:17-19, Jesus said: "If you would enter life, keep the commandments... You shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." That is works!!
What does St. Paul mean in Romans 3:28: "For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law." In this, he was condemning the Old Covenant sacrifices and rituals which couldn't justify and he was pointing to better things now in Christ Jesus in the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-10). Always keep in mind the two definitions of the word "work" as used in the Bible-- one meaning refers to a work of the Jewish law and the other definition refers to a good deed which can make your faith come alive.
During the Reformation, Martin Luther himself changed the understanding of the Bible to fit his theology. In Romans 3:28, he inserted the word "alone" when he translated it. This was not the way it was taught for over 1100 years. The only time you do see the words faith and alone together in a sentence is in James 2:24, where James says "See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
St. Paul made clear in Romans 2:6-8 that good works are necessary for attaining eternal life, "For he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factions and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury."
Paul speaks of faith as a life-long process, never as a one-time experience. He says in Philippians 2:12, "So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." He never assumes he has nothing to worry about concerning his salvation.
The Catholic Church has never taught we "earn" our salvation. It is an inheritance (Gal 5:21), freely given to anyone who becomes a child of God (1 John 3:1), so long as they remain that way (John 15:1-11). You can't earn it but you can lose the free gift given from the Father (James 1:17).
All who say they are "Christian" will be able to agree on the following two truths: salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8) and salvation is through Christ alone (Acts 4:12). The Bible tells us we must have faith in order to be saved (Hebrews 11:6). Yet is faith nothing more than believing and trusting? When you look at the Scriptures, we see faith also involves consent to God's truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13), obedience to Him (Romans 1:5, 16:26), and it must be working in love (Galatians 5:6). These ideas appeared to be missing by the reformers, yet they are just as important as believing and trusting.
Do our works mean anything? According to Jesus they do (Matthew 25:31-46). The people rewarded and punished are done so by their actions. And our thoughts (Matthew 15:18-20) and words (James 3:6-12) are accountable as well. In Matthew 19:17-19, Jesus said: "If you would enter life, keep the commandments... You shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." That is works!!
What does St. Paul mean in Romans 3:28: "For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law." In this, he was condemning the Old Covenant sacrifices and rituals which couldn't justify and he was pointing to better things now in Christ Jesus in the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-10). Always keep in mind the two definitions of the word "work" as used in the Bible-- one meaning refers to a work of the Jewish law and the other definition refers to a good deed which can make your faith come alive.
During the Reformation, Martin Luther himself changed the understanding of the Bible to fit his theology. In Romans 3:28, he inserted the word "alone" when he translated it. This was not the way it was taught for over 1100 years. The only time you do see the words faith and alone together in a sentence is in James 2:24, where James says "See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
St. Paul made clear in Romans 2:6-8 that good works are necessary for attaining eternal life, "For he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factions and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury."
Paul speaks of faith as a life-long process, never as a one-time experience. He says in Philippians 2:12, "So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." He never assumes he has nothing to worry about concerning his salvation.
The Catholic Church has never taught we "earn" our salvation. It is an inheritance (Gal 5:21), freely given to anyone who becomes a child of God (1 John 3:1), so long as they remain that way (John 15:1-11). You can't earn it but you can lose the free gift given from the Father (James 1:17).
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