Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The ninth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” There are thirty-five (35) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 868.
There are four “marks” of the Church which help us to identify the Church which Jesus Christ founded. They are: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Let us consider here the catholicity of the Church. The word ‘catholic’ means ‘universal.’ There are at least six (6) aspects by which we can appreciate the universality of the Church.
One way that the Church is catholic is that she announces the totality of the Faith. It is not enough for us to only believe that ‘Jesus is Lord’ or that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Timothy 3:16). We do believe these things and all that the Lord Jesus teaches, not only personally, not only through Sacred Scripture, but even through Mother Church in her sacred tradition and through her teaching authority (magisterium). We believe the entire faith, not just one or another article of faith.
A second way the Church is catholic is that she carries the fullness of the means of salvation. To have all the means of salvation is to include not only all of the articles of faith but also all of the Sacraments. Some content themselves with only Baptism. Christ the Lord established His Church, entrusting her with six (6) other channels of grace by which we share in His divine life with the Father and the Holy Spirit. By safeguarding all of the sacraments, Christ’s one Church is faithful to her Founder and respects His intentions.
A third way the Church is catholic is that she administers the fullness of the means of salvation. The Church not only safeguards the Seven Sacraments as the fullness of the means of salvation, she also administers them, so that grace and salvation may be received.
A fourth way the Church is catholic is that she is sent to all people. The Church which Jesus founded is not just for Palestine, Europe, Asia, Africa or the western hemisphere, but for all. Jesus did not only establish His Church only for rich or poor, educated or not. The Church is for all people and addresses all (cf. Matthew 28:19). In going out to all we see that the Church is catholic by her very nature, missionary (AG, 3).
A fifth way the Church is catholic is that she embraces all times. The Church which Jesus Christ founded not only did not cease to exist in the apostolic age (33–100 AD), the patristic age (100–700 AD), the mediaeval age (100–1300 AD), the renaissance (1300–1600 AD), the modern period (1600–1800), or even the contemporary period (1800-present) but has remained and will remain even until Christ returns in glory (cf. Matthew 28:20).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr