One Flock

THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for September 16th, 2014
Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, Martyrs

Liturgical texts here

IT’s a question no “bible-believing” Protestant Christian has ever been able to answer for me in the nearly twenty years I’ve been in public ministry: whose interpretation of Scripture is the right one? Every once in awhile, I receive letters from readers who want to set me straight on my interpretation of the Word. But I always write them back and say, “Well, it’s not my interpretation of the Scriptures—it’s the Church’s. After all, it was the Catholic Bishops at the councils of Carthage and Hippo (393, 397, 419 AD) who determined what was to be deemed the “canon” of Scripture, and which writings were not. It only makes sense to go to the ones who put the Bible together for its interpretation.”

But I tell you, the vacuum of logic among Christians is at times stunning.

Today’s Mass readings remind us that there was no such thing as a Church of many denominations. “You are Christ’s body”, said St. Paul, “and individually parts of it.”

…though many, [we] are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body… (First reading)

The divisions between us, writes Paul, are never to be doctrinal but functional.

Some people God has designated in the Church to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.

In the operation of these gifts, Paul called the churches to be of the “same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.” ^[1]cf. Phil 2:2 And there was only one way that this was possible—and St. Paul made sure the churches understood this:

…hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thess 2:15; 2 Thess 3:6; 2 Tim 1:13, 2:2, etc.)

It’s very simple. This isn’t theological “rocket science.” But I tell you, it completely escapes those who do not have the “childlike” heart that Jesus said was a requirement for receiving the Kingdom. What was handed down to the Apostles by Christ was in turn to be handed down to their successors and so on, until Christ returned. This is beautifully symbolized in the Gospel today with what Jesus does after He raises a young man from the dead.

Jesus gave him to his mother.

Jesus did not leave us orphaned when He ascended into Heaven. He gave us to a mother, that is, the Church. ^[2]And the Virgin Mary is the typus or personification of the Church, and hence, a spiritual mother to all believers, as Jesus personally gave her to us from the Cross. See The Masterwork. Thus…

…let us note that the very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, was preached by the Apostles, and was preserved by the Fathers. On this was the Church founded; and if anyone departs from this, he neither is nor any longer ought to be called a Christian…. —St. Athanasius, 360 A.D., Four Letters to Serapion of Thmius 1, 28

And here you see is where the proud are sifted from the humble, the myth-seekers from the truth-seekers. What St. Athanasius claims is entirely verifiable, most especially in this age of the internet. The doctrines of Catholicism which have developed over 2000 years can be traced back through the centuries to Christ and the Scriptures. This is why we have witnessed an incredible exodus of Protestant pastors and their congregants to the Catholic Church in the last two decades: they simply went beyond their prejudices to be “surprised by truth.”

St. Paul said that “what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.” ^[3]2 Tim 2:2 This is precisely what has occurred and continues to occur because Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, promised that He would send the “Spirit of truth, [who] will guide you to all truth.” ^[4]cf. John 16:13

The teaching of the Church has indeed been handed down through an order of succession from the Apostles, and remains in the Churches even to the present time. That alone is to be believed as the truth which is in no way at variance with the ecclesiastical and apostolic tradition. —Origen (185-232 A.D.), Fundamental Doctrines 1, Pref. 2

How many are the letters I’ve received purporting that we Catholics have made up this or made up that somewhere along the way. Hogwash! I tell you, these people are false prophets and self-appointed popes! They make claims, and when challenged to prove them, are too lazy or too proud to do so. And at their own peril. Because as we look at the signs of the times today, I am reminded of St. Paul’s antidote to withstanding the Antichrist:

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. (2 Thess 2:15; Paul wrote this in the context of the deception that God would permit Satan to test the world with. cf. 2 Thess 2:11-12)

I don’t care how “anointed” someone feels about their interpretation of Scripture, how “certain” they are that God is speaking to them. If what they propose departs from the Apostolic Tradition, then it must be thrown out. For…

…even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! (Gal 1:8)

There is only one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, ^[5]From the “Apostles Creed”, which some scholars date back as early as the first century. and saints Cyprian and Cornelius died defending her truths. Those who are not standing on this rock in the days to come are going to be faced with a choice: retreat to the sands of their own subjective interpretation and expose themselves to tremendous deception, or climb a little higher to the rock on which Christ has built his Church, that single pasture the Lord Himself shepherds through those whom He appointed. For bible-believing Christians better start believing their bible and what Jesus said to the Apostles…

Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. (cf. Luke 10:16; see Heb 13:17)

…for there is only one Church.

Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. (Today’s Psalm)

Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1	cf. Phil 2:2
↑2	And the Virgin Mary is the typus or personification of the Church, and hence, a spiritual mother to all believers, as Jesus personally gave her to us from the Cross. See The Masterwork.
↑3	2 Tim 2:2
↑4	cf. John 16:13
↑5	From the “Apostles Creed”, which some scholars date back as early as the first century.