208. Basic Teachings

The basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church never change.¹ The Church may, from time to time, repackage the wording to make that teaching clearer but the teaching itself never changes. A case in point is the "new Lectionary" in use now, and in any case after May 19, 2002. All readings and Gospels read at Holy Mass come from the "New American Bible," which is the approved Catholic version. Some will tell you that the Church favors the RSV - Revised Standard Version, and for personal Bible reading that's OK, as long as it is an Approved Catholic version you are using.

When we read from the Acts of the Apostles, particularly 2:36-47, this is what we read: (Peter is speaking) ".....let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call. He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day." - Here we have the beginning of the Catholic (Universal) Church. And today, some 2000 years later, many millions follow Jesus Christ as Catholics around the world. Note that I did not say specifically "Roman" Catholics because those in the Eastern Catholic Church are also a part of the original foundation.

Is the Catholic Church suffering today? Many of its members are suffering, but the Church itself, no. The Church is as strong as ever. What is suffering are the people, who, in many situations have lost faith and hope. We are a pilgrim people, we're on the way, but we are not there yet. We are sinners, we are weak, easily swayed between good and evil. The local parish is the first sign of "Church," for most of us. When we are healthy we join to make community, the Body of Christ. When sick, we rely on our parish Church to bring Holy Communion to us and to pray for us. To reach out.

We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ, showing those around us how His love has changed our lives. Spreading His love through conversation, explanation, example. "The Church is a sacramental mystery because it is a visible sign of an invisible grace -- namely, union with God. The pope and bishops (the magisterium) form the visible bond of unity, charity, and peace which links the whole Church in communion."

There is much ado about the "Da Vinci Code" as if this were a re-interpretation of Scripture. It is not. It is a book of fiction, and at that, I feel, a subject chosen with only one thought - to sell books and movie rights. Am I going to see it? There are better movies I would spend my hard-earned cash on. Not many, but some. In a recent news report, Archbishop Angelo Amato, head of the Office of the Doctrine of the Faith, called the book "stridently anti-Christian, full of calumnies, offences, historical and theological errors regarding Jesus Christ, the Gospels of the Church." He hopes we will boycott the film. Seems good advice to me.

May the Lord bless you and keep you well!

Fred Schaeffer, sfo
5/26/06

(1) From: Chapter 7, Exploring Our Catholic Faith, 1989. Rev. John E. Pollard

bro. Fred's Reflections Index