Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has been available to the faithful since 1992 when Pope John Paul II officially declared it. It provides a wealth of information for us as believers, so that we may fully live a life in Christ. The Catechism is my favorite gift to share with anyone seeking a better understanding of the Catholic Church.
Part three is titled “Life In Christ” and beautifully describes the nature of family. “A man and a woman united in marriage, together with children, form a family. This institution is prior to any recognition by public authority, which has an obligation to the procreation and education of children. The love of the spouses and the begetting of children create among members of the same family personal relationships and primordial responsibilities” (CCC 2201). The information in this paragraph of the Catechism is essential to creating a healthy society. Our culture has accepted a very different ideology and the sacred gift of marriage and family is under attack. A community of believers is needed to voice concern and strengthen God’s plan for life to enlighten future generations. Following Christ is the only thing that will unite us!
As believers, we have an obligation and missionary task to share this message of truth to protect a natural society. “The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason, it can and should be called a domestic church." It is a community of faith, hope, and charity; it assumes singular importance in the Church, as is evident in the New Testament” (CCC 2204). The Catechism goes on to say in paragraph 2211 that “the political community has a duty to honor family and protect the stability of the marriage bond and the institution of the family.” Have we lost this precious blessing in our society for the sake of being charitable? Please take some time to reflect prayerfully on this question by reading this section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Throughout the Church calendar, we have an example of holy people who were not afraid to be evangelists of truth or forerunners for Christ! In daily Mass, we read from Scripture and receive tremendous grace in the Eucharist--Body of Christ. We have everything we need to be empowered for the duties expected of us as Christians. The Church is our safeguard in troubled times. We need to be fervent in prayer because our society is very disordered!
The Memorial of 2nd-century martyr St. Irenaeus, who battled the heresy of Gnosticism, and the Solemnity of the holy apostles Sts. Peter and Paul were both celebrated recently in the Church. Their witness in salvation history gives great insight into the struggles of the Early Church. The ancient Gnostics that Irenaeus fought believed they were saved not by faith but by knowledge. We know the Doctrines and abstract truths are wonderful expressions of the central realities of Catholic faith. Our understanding of dogmatic or moral theology is not to be flaunted as righteous judgment but shared with love by discerning what we are capable of doing in this moment in time.
The teachings of Jesus in Scripture and all that the Church communicates through living magisterial tradition transcend all personal spiritual knowledge. We need clarity over the blaring confusion and chaos. We can simplify our lives with truth in education and catechesis because knowledge is a real gift. I have great concern about the relativism and lack of morality expressed in our society. Innocent children are counting on us to speak up as a community of believers. Live a life in Christ! Amen!