Posting on Behalf of LW

Exploring this week’s subject of the “The Marks of the Church” I immediately saw the effort as an opportunity to investigate Church history. I began by reading on the subject matter as discussed in Chapter 7 of the book entitled: “Towards A Truly Catholic Church” by Thomas P. Rausch. I came away from the reading impressed with the quality of Mr. Rausch ability to expound upon some of the keys facets of the design and structure of the Church as more of a spiritualized entity. The facets I found of greatest value to the exposition were the sub-parts of “The Church is One” and “The Church is Holy”. These aspects of the writing tend to give a vivid depiction of not only the marks of the Church, but, more of what I conclude as defining features of the Church. The exposure of this fact is highly important to me and to Christians everywhere regardless to denominational affiliations. 

Another truly interesting aspect of the writing was opening reference to the gathering of bishops at the First Council of Constantinople, which I researched further at: http://papalencyclicals.net/Councils/ecum02.htm. Exploring the website increased my curiosity and I also began to examine the historic background on the Council of Nicene at: http://www.livescience.com/2410-council-nicea-changed-world.html. Even though each of these events was profound and directly ties in with defining the ‘marks of the Church’, my curiosity was not completely satisfied with the emergence of the term “Catholic” as a dominant term for identifying all true believers and adherents to the doctrine of Christianity; which remained the status quo until the emergence of the movement of Protestantism. My mind becomes flooded with various questions at this point in which I will leave for addressing at a later time. For now, I conclude in a spirit of gratitude for this week’s required readings and look forward to more of such quality as the semester proceeds.

Posting on Behalf of Judy

February 9, 2015 Church, Sacraments and Liturgy

 Rausch compares and contrasts the Catholic understanding of the marks of the Church with the understandings of the Reformer and the Restorationist churches, showing the strong and weak points of each. His is never an apologetic for the Catholic position, but more of a “God’s eye view,” calling all of the churches to grow and to learn from each other. I found this, as always, enlightening.
 Even more challenging was Vonday’s chapter, “One Bread” in People of Bread. After Pentecost, the small Christian community gathered in the temple every day to pray, and in the evening went to someone’s home where they celebrated the breaking of bread. It would seem that this ritual would separate the Christians and the Jews, but Vondey says that since there were no churches at that time, “houses were the center of companionship and hospitality, particularly as the companionship of Christians with those who did not (yet) belong to the Christian faith” (198). Sharing beyond the Jewish/Christian community was another thing, as Gentiles were considered unclean (Acts 10) (Vondey 201-204). In the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurian, this barrier is broken, as an angel appears to Simon Peter telling him not to call unclean what God has declared clean. At the angel’s bidding, Peter offers hospitality to Cornelius’ envoys. The next day he goes with them to Cornelius’ house and accepts hospitality from him. It is in the midst of this mutually offered and accepted hospitality that the Holy Spirit comes upon Cornelius household, and Peter is able to stand before those who question his discernment, and prove to their satisfaction that God has chosen the Gentiles, too. What strikes me about this analysis is the idea that discernment is not something done in the abstract. It is not before, but in the midst of concrete events that discernment is achieved (204).

 This reminds me of an experience when a community I was in went through a discernment process regarding a new direction we were taking. Everyone was peaceful about the decision. After trying it for a year, someone proposed that changes be made. Another person said no, because this was where the Holy Spirit had led us. I believed God was showing us something on the ground which we had not considered beforehand. We needed to discern once more in the light of that new situation. It was not about breaking bread together, but I think that this principle applies.

The women I work with in the prison are from several different faith traditions, primarily Baptist or Catholic, but some have switched several times, and some have no affiliation. Over the weeks of praying and sharing together, this group has grown closer, extending support and the wisdom of their experiences to each other. God speaks to them powerfully through the scriptures. They are amazing.
 Last week for the first time, one woman said she would like to receive Communion, that she really missed it. I asked her if she was Catholic. She isn’t, but said she always goes to Communion in whatever church she attends, especially in prison, since there is no choice there. The other women agreed. Only Catholic chaplains visit them where they are now. What can I do? Vondey’s analysis would lead me to say yes to them, but I don’t think that the Catholic church has arrived at that point. My heart is torn.

Understanding Prayer in Our Lives

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As I have sifted through the readings, I have decided to focus on improving our prayers lives, and gaining a better understanding of what we are called to be. In the Lumen Gentium, it is written that we attain holiness through the grace of God when we answer the call by Jesus Christ, and by answering that call, “the universe itself…will be perfectly established in Christ” (72). This opening is so simple, but clearly points out only Jesus and His Father can create an ordered world, and that we play our role by saying yes. We are the children of God because we make it our goal to please Him. Though we may not know when He comes for us, we are ready to join Him at the end. To do this, we need to fight against the evils and protect ourselves with God’s grace (73-74).

This should sound easy to constantly live as good people. Just pray to God, reflect, and resist temptation. Truth is, we are tempted to not follow the teachings of Christ. Several singular cultures are eroding due to globalization, while religious violence persists in several nations. Christians in other countries cannot evangelize or fully practice their faith due to fear of punishment or harassment, particularly when they argue for social justice (Rausch 168). The media on a daily basis attempts to show us programs that can range from simply distracting to incredibly immoral, as well as emphasize that looks matter more than living our life for the Lord. How can we enjoy our pastimes but still keep ourselves focused on the purpose of pleasing the Lord?

This is why I enjoy reading Sockey’s Liturgy of the Hours. This book gives unlocks the information to increase our prayer lives. Before reading this book, I never put much thought into these prayers. However, as I began praying, I notice that these prayers are so full of rich scripture and text. Why don’t many people pray these on a daily basis to stay strong in faith – how come I only recently started? I love that Sockey writes we can pray the Hours when our schedule fits, because especially with a schedule as hectic as mine, she has given me hope and reassured me that God understands if it cannot be at the exact hours (45). She also sums up the Night Prayer nicely as a short one, one meant to simply complete our day and comfort us, and that each prayer ends with asking the Lord for a “restful night and peaceful death” (46). Now that I have read a little more about the Hours and what Sockey is asking, I have faith that from my own experience, the days I pray the Hours I feel more at peace, as if God is watching over me.

This post only begins to scrape the surface about how truly remarkable these prayers are. It never ceases to amaze me because that is what we request of God at the end of each Prayer; and I manage to feel His presence each time. These Hours and prayers help me gain a better understanding of where I’m meant to be. I reflect more about how I can be a better student, teacher, brother, son, grandson, nephew, servant, and friend, so I can someday be a great husband too. One who lives his life for the Lord as a way to honor his wife. These prayers help me understand the role Jesus plays in our lives and as well as resist temptation – ultimately, I grow as a better man. 

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Joy of the Gospel

Like the first apostles, all Christians are called to evangelize by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, spreading the “good news” to anyone who will listen.  In Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel” Pope Francis explains that our own “joy of salvation” is not something we are supposed to keep to ourselves.   To be truly Christian is to desire to share the good news, love, compassion, and salvation of Christ with everyone we encounter.  The beauty of Pope Francis' words “life is attained and matures in the measure that it is offered up in order to give life to others” (II,10) struck a chord in the recesses of my own heart.  Isn't that the aim of all of us in the LIM program, to minister to God's people in some way, giving back to others what God has so generously given to us?

I could not help but think of my mother when I read Pope Francis; words, “an evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral!” (II,10).  My mother was perhaps one of  the greatest evangelists I’ve ever personally known.  She exuded joy, no matter her circumstances in life.  She never traveled very far from home but all who knew her marveled at her courage, joyful spirit and tenacity, which she never failed to acknowledge, came from her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  She and my dad raised not only my three brothers and me but also six of my father’s brothers and sisters after their mother died.  Mom was a beautician and people flocked to her salon more for her positive attitude and faith-filled advice than for a new hairdo.  She suffered greatly in her last few years of life, but never stopped spreading the joy of the Gospel to everyone she came into contact with.  People just loved being with her.

There is a certain Spirit-filled joy that comes from people who have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  I’m sure that many of you have known people like this.  They attract you like a moth to a flame.  As Pope Francis points out, “It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows, but “by attraction” (III, 15).  It was just this sort of attraction that led me to what I call my “awakening” from a sluggish faith in the 90’s.  A bible study group at my new parish seemed so full of kindness, joy, and goodwill that I just had to join them to see what inspired it.  It was the beginning of  new life  for me.  A life of deepening faith and service.

My former church had members who seemed just as lukewarm as I was.  There was no energy or joy in the congregation.  Because of this, I recognize how important it is for people to experience fellowship and the love of Christ reflected in the members of our church community, not only while we are at church but wherever and whenever we are out in the world.  There is no greater sign of our Christian faith than to treat others with love and respect, welcoming them with Christian joy, without excluding anyone" (III, 15).

photo credit:  www.evangelicaloutreach.org