Lesson Nine - The Church; The Marks of the Church

Text by Pat Austin, St. Patrick Cathedral RCIA Instructor

Chapter 11 - The Catholic Church

Scripture/Revelation tell us that Jesus came to Redeem all people. It also tells us that Jesus established a Church -- a visible Church.

The purpose of this Church is to: Teach, Sanctify and Govern its members

• Teach -- His Truths -- Mt. 28:19-20 - "Go, teach all ..."
• Sanctify -- Mt.28:19, Lk.22:19, Jn.20:23 - "Baptize them ... "
• Govern -- Mt.28:19, Mt.18:17-18, Lk.10:16 -- Authority - "What you bind on Earth, ... bound in Heaven, He who hears you hears Me."

The Church is defined as "the congregation of all baptized persons united in the same true faith, the same sacrifice, the same sacraments, under the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff and the bishops in communion with him."

We become a member through baptism and remain a member unless one cuts oneself off through:

• Schism -- denying/defying the authority of the Pope. Reference: Catholic Dictionary, page 398.
• Heresy -- denying a truth/truths as taught by the Church. Reference: Catholic Dictionary, page 175.
• Excommunication -- ejected from membership because of certain grave or unrepented sins. Reference: Catholic Dictionary, page 137.

The Holy Spirit is the Soul of the Church -- makes the Church living.

Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles -- it is the birthday of the Church.

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Living Spirit, came upon the Apostles, Mary and the disciples in the Upper Room. This event took place 50 days after Easter.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He remained on Earth for 40 days, then He ascended into Heaven. We celebrate this event as Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter). Ten days after Ascension Thursday, the Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles, Mary and the disciples in the Upper Room. This was Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church.

Jesus chose twelve Apostles (to send forth) as the foundation of His Church . The word B A P T I(J) S M gives the names of the original Apostles. Bartholomew, (Nathanael) Andrew, Peter, Philip Thomas, Thaddeus (Jude), James and John (sons of Zebedee), James (son of Alphaeus), Judas Iscariot; Simon (the zealot) and Matthew.

Of these 12, Jesus chose one to be the visible head -- Peter. Mt.16:17, the Supreme authority. Succession of the twelve Apostles is handed on through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Church is more than the juridical Church -- the Church of Laws.

Jesus and the Church are one and the same. Acts 8:1-3, 9:1-5. The Church is Jesus invisible. The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. We are incorporated with Christ. 1 Cor., 12:12.

Jesus is the Head of this body. We are the members: clergy, religious, laity. As members we all have our place and work in the Mystical Body, but we all are called to be Apostles for Jesus. We really are ambassadors for Jesus.

To summarize: Jesus used His human nature in 3 ways:

• He taught -- revealed God's truths -- I am the way, the truth and the life."
• He governed -- gave authority for His Church, "All authority is given to Me."
• He sanctified -- ordained priests for sanctification of souls, "Baptize them / This is My body / Your sins are forgiven."

Jesus formed another body, not a political one, not a social one but a mystical - mysterious - one. This body would be made up of men - 12 Apostles. They are the first cells of this new body. They are disjointed, separated, individualistic. Needed coherence. Jesus said, "My Spirit will make you one" - a new Body - a Mystical - mysterious Body. It was on Pentecost that Jesus formed His new Body - the Church - and bestowed the power to teach, govern, sanctify to His new Body - the Church.

Another way to express this truth -- The Son of God, Jesus, through His physical body teaches, governs and sanctifies. He formed another body - the Church - which He gave the power to teach, govern and sanctify. Jesus said to Saul (Paul), "Why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked, "Who are you, Sir?" The answer, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting." Acts 9:4-5.

Mystical Body of Christ

All who are baptized in Christ are cells in this Mystical Body. All of these cells are made one - vivified - by the Holy Spirit; This Mystical Body is presided over by Christ, the Invisible Head; governed by the Visible Head - the Pope.

This Body - the Church - is not perfect. Just as in the physical body (world) there is scandal, so in the Mystical Body (Church) there can be/is scandal. Jesus tells us this through parables. Jesus compares His Church to a fish net with both good and bad fish; Mt.13:47-50; to a field of grain that both wheat and weeds grow together; Mt.13:24-30; to a wedding feast at which one of the guests does not have on a wedding garment; Mt.22:11-14.

Chapter Twelve -- Marks of the True Church

Jesus, in His Wisdom, knew that throughout the ages from His time to the end of time, mankind would be looking for the Church that He established. Why? Because Jesus made it clear that His Church is the gate of Heaven through which everyone must enter. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jn.14:6.

How can we recognize the Church established by Jesus? The Church that Jesus founded possesses four identifying marks: Reference Text page 160.

• My Church will have Unity, (One) - Jn.10:16; Jn.17:11.
• My Church will be Holy - Jn.17:17, 19.
• My Church will be Catholic (Universal) Mk.16:15; Acts 1:8.
• My Church will trace its beginning back to the Apostles (Apostolic) Mt.16:18; Mt.28:18-20.

UNITY -- Jn.17:11 Father, that we may be one ... Catholic Church has unity in belief, leadership and worship.

• Beliefs -- Truths taught by Jesus; Divine Revelation found in Scripture and Tradition. There is no private interpretation/judgement. Beliefs are the same the world over in the Catholic Church.
• Leadership -- Supreme Pontiff -- the Pope, one authority.
• Worship -- Mass and Sacraments are the same the world over.

HOLY -- founded by Jesus who is all Holy; it teaches His teachings, provides the means of leading a Holy life.

CATHOLIC -- (embracing all) universal -- Church has been in existence at all times since Pentecost right down to today; teaching the same truths and is everywhere in the world. Has had continuous existence for over 1900 years. The first 800 years the Catholic Church was the only Church accepted as founded by Jesus.

APOSTOLIC -- can be traced back to Peter. Reference: Catholic Dictionary page 476. List Popes Mt.16:18 "... You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church

Jesus' Church possesses:

• Authority Lk.10:16 "Whoever listens to you, listens to Me."
• Infallibility Mt.28:20 " ... teaching them all that I have commanded you." " ... I am with you always, even to the end ... "
• Indefectibility Mt.16:18 " ... the gates of Hell shall not prevail."

Assignment: Text, Chapter 13 and 14. Catechism Section 40.