The Early Church

I have started a Bible study which is called EPIC A Journey Through Church History. Here is a little from the first two classes.

Christ commissioned his apostles to go out and teach all nations. Christ established "my Church"(Matthew 16:18) and "the church"(Matthew 18:17). He said "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (John 6:54-56).

In the most direct language the Apostles affirmed that the bread and wine that was consecrated on the altar did in fact become the actual substance of Jesus Christ. St. Paul says, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Cor 10:16)

"As the Father hath sent me, I also send you." (John 20:21). Here Jesus is telling the Apostles that they were to follow His own teaching mission. This includes the breaking of bread in the Eucharist that He showed them at the Last Supper.

The Church during the Roman Empire was united, growing , highly disciplined and hierarchically organized. It was an institution that held to exact and unwavering doctrines. The main doctrines were the Incarnation of God in Jesus Christ and also the firm belief of the Real Presence of Jesus (His body, blood, soul, and divinity) under the appearance of bread and wine in the Eucharist.

St. Ignatius of Antioch (50-117), outlines many important points about the faith of the early Church, including the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the Divinity of Christ, the  structure (bishops, priests, deacons, laity) of the Church, the importance of the Church of Rome, and the understanding of Mary as Mother of God. He also had the first written account of referring to the Church as the Catholic Church. It could have been called that by word even before this. Keep in mind this was only a few years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Church was participating in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist from the very beginning!! It is not something that man invented.

St. Justin Martyr, another Church Father of the second century wrote: "This food is known among us as the Eucharist... We do not receive these things as common bread and common drink but as Jesus Christ our Savior, being made flesh by the Word of God."

Nowhere else on the Christian scene was there a religion as compact and so long-lived. Nowhere else on the Christian scene was there a unity so obviously permanent.

This post is connected to my last post. I received an email from the pastor that I had written to. He was very kind and apologized for his words he used concerning the Catholic Church. He said he had great relations with the priests from the parishes in his area. I was so happy that this was resolved in such a Christian way.

I believe that we all have to watch our words when we speak of other religions. We need to make sure we have the facts and not just something that has been handed down from generation to generation. To say something about the Catholic Church, one must go to Catholic sources and not just rely on what a pastor or a friend has told you.

I would really like to hear from some of you that read this blog why you think Catholics are still persecuted? Why is it still ok to say negative things about Catholics? I hope someone has some thoughts and will reply. Do you think anti-Catholicism still exists and why?

God bless,
Barb

Suicide and the Catholic Church

My brother and I recently attended the funeral service of our cousin in Wisconsin. He had been struggling for years with depression. The depression became so bad that he committed suicide. He was 53 years old. He was divorced and had two children who are high school age. His ex-wife was so gracious to plan all my cousins arrangements.

At the service there was a Protestant minister who read some scripture readings and prayers and then started to talk to my cousin's children about suicide. He did not want the children to be embarrassed at what their father had done. He really was preaching well to them until he started talking about some people who consider suicide a sin. He said that some of those people are Catholics who put up fences around their cemeteries and if a Catholic commits suicide they won't let them in! I know that this is not true at least at this time in history.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church #2280 states that everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life.  # 2282 states that grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.  #2283 states we should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives.

The Code of Cannon Law of the Catholic Church does not list suicide as a reason to deny a person a Catholic funeral or burial in a Catholic cemetery. We are commanded by Christ not to judge others so we leave final judgment  to God who alone knows each person's heart. The Catholic Church has mellowed on the subject of suicide over the centuries as knowledge of mental illness and depression has increased.

I decided to write to this pastor and explain to him what I just stated above. I told him that many non-Catholics have been taught the wrong ideas about the Catholic faith from pastors and family members who have not studied any Catholic teaching. Just hear-say!!! That is so unfortunate!. I feel that the room full of people in the funeral home who were at my cousin's service were given the wrong impression about the Catholic Church and where it stands concerning suicide. Now all those people will go tell other people, family and friends, wrong ideas. Is this the way to build bridges between different religions?

I just can't believe that in 2013 there is still so much IGNORANCE about Catholics. I do believe it is time to move on and respect all religious views even if you don't always agree with everything. I hope and pray that these divisions can be repaired. In my 57 years of being Catholic, I can honestly say that I have never heard any priest say anything negative about another religion. I am so proud to say that!

My cousin was baptized and raised a Catholic. His deceased parents were my Godparents. My cousin had drifted away from his faith. I am going to continue to pray for him and his children.