January 26 2018 - Sts. Timothy and Titus - Apostolic Succession in Scripture and Tradition

If you were a Christian in the 1st century or are a Christian in the 21st century, how can you be sure that you belong to the True Church of Jesus Christ?

The first Christians had no doubts about how to determine which was the true Church and which doctrines were the true teachings of Christ. The test was simple: can the community or the teaching be traced back to the Apostles or not?

In founding the Church, Our Lord Himself marked her with four characteristics, which reflect her essential features and mission. The four marks of the Church are listed in the Nicene Creed: the Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.

The doctrine of Apostolic Succession—the belief that the apostles handed on to others their authority to teach and govern the church in the name of Christ—is clearly biblical and also unanimously defended by the writings of the early Church Fathers.

Timothy and Titus were both appointed bishops by the apostle Paul. In their respective New Testament epistles, Paul directs Titus as bishop of Crete to go from town to town appointing presbyters, one of the tasks of bishops which continues to this day. He was also to appoint other bishops who would practice what they preached. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus. In the first letter, Paul writes to offer personal encouragement and advice on how to administer the great responsibility of being a bishop. In the second Paul tells, Timothy to be courageous in defending his flock from false teachers who were passing on doctrines which were not supported by the apostles.

The bishop is a visible sign that we remain connected to the true Church of Christ, and he helps us to grow in fidelity and sanctity through his teaching and governance. The bishop, St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing early in the 2nd century enjoined priests and lay faithful to be in harmony with their bishop as strings to a harp.

We here in Cleveland are grateful for having been sent a new bishop, Bishop Perez, and are greatly looking forward to his leadership and teaching. We pray for him at every Mass in the Eucharistic prayer, and we do well to remember our bishop in our personal prayers, that he may be a source of Christian unity and sanctification for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That our bishops may be courageous in stirring up the flame of faith and defending the Church from error.We pray to the Lord.

That through the ministry of bishops, Our Lord will bring an end to division in his Church. We pray to the Lord.

That through our bishops and priests, Christ, the doctor of souls, may bring healing and mercy to sinners and to the brokenhearted. We pray to the Lord.

For all of the sick and suffering, especially victims of natural disaster, poverty, and addiction, may they be comforted and supported by God’s healing love. We pray to the Lord.

For our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. We pray to the Lord.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord