Dear Friends,
I’ve written over the last three weeks about how to invite others back to church. I hope these words have been practical and helpful. This last column in the series is about answering the question—why be Catholic? I give you my testimony.
* The Catholic faith is the true faith of Jesus Christ. He founded the Church and is her Chief Cornerstone. There is no other way to the Father, but through Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one, nor anything, can save us, but Jesus Christ.
* The Bible is the inerrant Word of God. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit through the mind of the authors. All we need to know about how to get to Heaven is contained therein.
* The Holy Eucharist is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. It is an unbloody representation of Calvary, offered daily for our salvation. Jesus tells us, “unless you eat My Body and drink My Blood, you have no life within you.” Our Church is the place to receive the real presence of Christ.
* We are the body of Christ. We, the members of the Church, are a living Body with Christ at its head. We are expected to live Christ in the world, presenting Him without fear. We are to be zealous, joyful, contrite, honest, and loving. We are the eyes, ears, mouth, and touch of Christ to the world.
* The teachings and doctrines of the Church are an organic development. Through the bishops, united with the pope as their head, they speak, as apostles, to the commands and wishes of Jesus Christ, Himself.
* Charity is the heart of the Catholic Faith. God is love and we are called to be loving, reaching out, easily forgiving, feeding the hungry, helping those in need is a natural result of this concrete Love we call God.
* This is Christ’s Church. Never doubt that the Holy Spirit animates and directs us here on earth. Don’t leave the Church because of the silliness of man; stay in the Church and remain united to the only One who truly loves us and redeems us; Jesus Christ.
None of this is exhaustive, but a simple start. Invite and walk with those who don’t know or who have stopped believing.