If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way,take up your cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
INTRODUCTION
CCC 143-144 By faith, man completely submits his intellect and his will to God Sacred… Scripture calls this human response to God, the author of revelation, “the obedience of faith”.
To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to “hear or listen to”) in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself….
Some say they believe in Jesus but do they believe Jesus and do as He says?
Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Luke 7:2i
There are many hard teachings and sayings from Jesus in Scripture such as; if anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26
Is Jesus telling us to hate our parents? Of course not. Jesus would not break one of the Ten Commandments, Honor your Mother and Father. No, Jesus is reminding those who wish to follow him must not put anything or anybody before him.
Jesus is bold, outspoken, when teaching about morality. He expands on the Ten commandments in His Sermon on the Mount. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment Matthew 5:21
“You have heard that it was said,r ‘You shall not commit adultery, ’But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27
Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[b] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:18
They came to Capernaum, and on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. Mark 1:21-22 Jesus’ authority came from the Father.
“Who sees me, sees the Father.” John 14:8-9
Jesus was counter-cultural and so is His Church founded on Peter the Rock Catholicism remains the staunchest opponent to the culture of the times.
Our doctrines handed down from the Rock of Peter are stubborn things. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Matthew 16:17
Satan is a liar a deceiver, the Father of lies, Satan spreads his lies to the world in the guise of modernity. We must not have any of it. The Truth will set us free.
We must attract people to the Catholic Faith with its authenticity to the Gospel, its sacraments, and its liturgy, the Mass.
Watering down the Catholic Church is watering down Jesus!
CATHOLIC CHURCH MUST TEACH AS JESUS TEACHES
The Bishops of the Church must give bold leadership in rejecting themes of this world that are destructive to individuals as well as families.
God says to the Church of Laodicia, “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” Revelations 3:14
If you believe in Gospels only what you like
but don’t believe what you don’t like then
you don’t believe in the gospel
but believe in yourself.
St. Augustine
REFLECTION
What does it mean to me that Jesus taught with authority?
What does it mean to me to be a disciple of Jesus?
Jesus founded a counter-cultural Church on Peter, the Rock and promised the Holy Spirit to guide it on earth from error. Catholic Church teaching condemns abortion, contraception, divorce and remarriage, same sex marriage and gender identity theory.
These are hard teachings for some. How am I doing with them.?
We must radiate holiness to be holy in all conduct the church is a sign of Jesus’ work and presence in the world. We must be that living sign.
If we are disciples we are on mission. How am I rebuilding the Church of Christ in the world today?
JESUS NOW TEACHES FROM THE BARQUE OF THE CHURCH