Tom and Jeanette on Sea of Galilee 2010
I am a “cradle Catholic,” a Marian Catechist, an associate of Word on Fire and Emissary of the Augustine Institute.
I was a Parish Catechist for 30+ years in a small mid-west Catholic parish, overseeing RCIA and Adult Faith Formation Programs and now a Catholic blogger.
This Blog supports and displays the teachings of Jesus Christ in Holy Scripture. These readings from Scripture are ideal for purpose of Lectio Divina. This manner of prayer is a superb way of praying and intimacy with Christ.
You read the Scripture (Lectio), pray over it (Oratio), meditate over it with your mind, (Meditatio) and contemplate it in silence face to face with Jesus (Contemplatio)
This blog also expresses the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Church founded by Jesus Christ, through the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
It will also include reflections on important feast days and liturgical seasons such as Lent and Advent. Tom Block (TCB)
WHY I AM STILL ROMAN CATHOLIC AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
ST. PETER’S BASILICA
As Jesus’ vicar/prime minister, St. Peter established the Mother Church in Rome in 42 A.D. All other Christian denominations over the centuries have their roots in the Church Jesus founded. Just as Bishops today are successors to the Apostles, the Pope is successor to Peter.
Some have asked me why I have the adjective, Roman, before Catholic in my website title. There are several rites in communion with Rome (Latin Rite) such as Maronites, that never separated and others that did, but have reunited with Rome such as Byzantine, Copts, and Chaldeans. I want readers to know my blog is orthodox and in full communion with the Church of St. Peter.
There are so many denominations out there that have catholic in their names that it is confusing. There are even groups out there that call themselves Catholics for Choice. This is not a Catholic organization but a pro- abortion advocacy group. There are “cafeteria catholics” who pick and choose what Catholic teaching they want to follow. Catholics are not free to choose which teachings on faith and morals to obey.
I love my Church warts and all and so grateful to Jesus giving us this guide. It isn’t perfect. But Jesus is! Jesus founded His Church on the Apostle Peter.” 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.” Matthew 16:18-19
Not all are Good Shepherds all the time! Remember Peter denied Jesus three times but Peter repented and wept bitterly for his sins but returned to Jesus. As far as the Church of Christ goes our trust is not in the human constituency but in the Third person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
The Church needed inspiration, guidance, the breath of the Spirit. What was (and still is) required is the ongoing influence of the Spirit, the divine interpreter of the Word, who does his work gradually and powerfully as the Church journeys across space and time.
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.” John 15:26 “The Holy Spirit teaches the Church “all things,” bringing to mind everything that Christ first taught His apostles” John 14:26.
HOLY SPIRIT ON PENTECOST
With the Holy Spirit, Jesus sends His apostles and their successors as the Father sent Him with “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt. 28:18). The apostles, the first bishops, chosen by Christ, exercise the Church’s Magisterium or teaching office of His Church.
THE BIBLE
Sometimes Catholics are criticized by other denominations as not knowing the Bible or down playing Scriptures. That is ridiculous. If you were to attend Sunday Mass regularly in a three year cycle and daily Mass in 2 year cycle you would hear read at Mass from Old and New Testament well over 80% of Scriptures.
There was no Bible in the early Church. It was the Church–her leadership, faithful people–guided by the authority of the Spirit of Truth which discovered the books inspired by God in their writing.
The inspired books of the Bible were established by the Roman Catholic Church definitively at the Council of Trent in 1556. Some of the criteria to establish these inspired books of the Bible were: special relation to God, i.e., inspiration; apostolic origin; used by the community of believers in Church services guided by the Holy Spirit.
If God has revealed Himself to man and He has, man must be able to know with assurance where that revelation lies. In other words, man needs to know without error what the books of the Bible are. That authority is the Magisterium of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.
Is the Bible enough? Jesus told his apostles in His Last Supper discourse, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.” John 16:12-13
CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING ON MORALITY
MOSES RECEIVES COMMANDMENTS
The Church doesn’t make this stuff up. God the Father himself in the Old Testament gave the 10 Commandments to Moses. These commandments were written on stone to symbolize that they could not be changed. Human laws change from time to time, but God’s word never changes.
While I was growing up, I questioned the Commandments and other Church Teaching but that was because I had the notion these were restrictions and I resisted like any “red blooded American“. When I matured, I realized these were not prohibitions but the best self-help book for living well and happy.
God was not asking me to give up anything that was good for me.
Let’s just take a few examples from the Commandments,, How about worshipping God our Creator on the Sabbath. What’s nuts about that? All that I am; All that I have, I have received from God. If I throw Sunday worship out It isn’t long before I think I am in charge and I am not.
Here’s another one, Do not kill or do violence in actions or words. Who am I to harm someone? I don’t want anyone to harm me! And do not commit adultery nor covet your neighbor’s wife. Well how is that working out for the sexually active outside of marriage crowd? Divorce, fractured families, abandoned children, single parent families, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion etc. Sin has consequences.
SACRAMENTS
God’s plan includes sacraments dispensed by His Church. Sacraments are an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Sacraments are the means by which God “resurrects us” in this life. Jesus expresses Himself on earth today through His Sacraments. Not every denomination has the seven sacraments that Jesus instituted, but the Roman Catholic Church does.
Baptism restores divine life to our souls. Confirmation strengthens our faith and assist us in being faithful witnesses. Eucharist nourishes that life. Sacrament of Reconciliation heals our soul when we have sinned against God and neighbor. Matrimony: the sacramental binding covenant between a baptized man and woman in which they agree to eternal fidelity and commit to being God’s partners in the creation of new life.
Holy Orders continues Jesus’ Apostolic Mission today. This sacrament confers on a man the power of consecrating the offering of the Body and Blood of Christ and of remitting and retaining sin. Pray for vocations to the Priesthood. They administer the Sacraments in Jesus’ name. Anointing of the Sick stirs up the divine life within us to heal our bodies and prepare our souls for eternal life.
REAL PRESENCE IN EUCHARIST
Many other religious denominations claim the Sacrament of the Eucharist but do not believe as I do or other practicing Catholics in the Real Presence. Some denominations say it is a symbol. Some say it is something we do in memory of Jesus. Some say it is a fellowship meal.
As Roman Catholic, I believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. I believe that when a priest at consecration says the words, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you. Take this, all of you, and drink from it for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me”.
I believe Jesus, body and blood, soul and divinity is reserved in the tabernacles of Catholic Churches around the world. Outside of Masses, Jesus may be brought to the sick and home bound. .
When we eat hamburger or pizza etc. we are physically nourished and it becomes part of our body. But when we consume the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion, the exact opposite happens. Instead of us assimilating Jesus into our bodies, he assimilates us into his body. He doesn’t become part of our body. We become part of his body, a share in the Divine life!
THIS IS MY BODY THIS IS MY BLOOD
CONCLUSION
I love my Church founded on Saint Peter. There are no restrictions harmful to mankind in Roman Catholic Church teaching. I thank God for my faith and my Church that have been there for me throughout my life of joy and suffering, let me persevere, keep my eyes on the prize and finish the race.
Blog established July 2015