April 1, 2011 – Catechism 792-796

The Church is not suppose to be without its pains.  It is suppose to join in the suffering of Christ so that it can grow and be united with Him.  Nothing that grows and increases its strength does so without pain.  Why should the Church, made up of humans, be any different.  Many people judge the Catholic Church because of its many weaknesses born out over the years due to the humans that make it up.  But what are people expecting from the Church.  Are the expecting a bunch of perfect and sinless human beings to run the Church so that none of their leaders will ever do anything wrong.  First of all, Perfect and sinless humans are very rare.  Secondly, Christ didn’t go after those most sinless people to lead His Church at the very beginning.  He found some fisherman and a taxcollecter.  He befriended a know adulteress who would be at His cross.  One of His closest apostles would betray Him.  Someone who persecuted Christians would become one of His greatest evangelizers.  What makes people think that the Catholic Church is not suppose to have its sinners in it.  Yet the Church is still around, after all these years.  Does anyone think that isn’t because the Grace of God is with it.  Does anyone think a Church based solely on the strength and knowledge and willingness of men could last that long.  Its longevity is a strong argument for God’s Grace flowing through It and Its teachings. 

One of the notes sites this passage.  “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”  Ephesians 4:14-15    I won’t go into the One Church thing again, but this is just another verse to think about and this idea of Truth and people following their own interpretations of what following Christ means. 

796 talks about the relationship of Christ and the Church as a bride and bridegroom.  This is mentioned many times in Scripture.  Another point to reflect on in the string of One Church arguments is if this is the relationship that Christ uses to describe His relationship with the Church, would Christ marry more than one bride.  But more what I thought about is the notion of divorce.  I just finish reading the book/interview done by the Pope.  If you remember, it caused a stir a couple of months ago because news came out that the Pope said it was ok to use condoms (which he didn’t).  There was a question about divorce and the Catholic teaching that divorce is wrong.  This talk of the relationship of Christ and the Church made me think about that.  The Catholic stance is the marriage is for life.  When two people are married, they are changed and nothing can break that bond.  There are ways to annul marriages, but that is only if the marriage itself was not valid for one reason of another.  But if two people enter into a marriage, that connection cannot be broken.  If the Church taught anything less, what would they be teaching when it comes to Christ relationship to the Church.  Could Christ decide to pull up His stakes if He ever chose to do so.  Teaching that marriage is something that is disposable is teaching that Church is disposable.  The Church cannot accept divorce out this side of its mouth and out the other say Christ unity with the Church is strong because we are His bridegroom.