18th Week in OT 2020 - Monday - The One True Faith

The first reading contains a strange scene, yet, one that is fairly relatable. Hananiah, who was known for his eloquence and prophetic gestures offered a prophecy about the Babylonian exile, while Jeremiah, also known as a prophet, gives a much different prognostication. Hananiah claimed that the Babylonian exile would last only for two years, while Jeremiah claimed that it would last much longer, which it did. Both men were known as prophets, both were considered to be holy men of God. So, who do you believe? If you were a Jew trying to figure out how your family is going to survive this terrible plight, who do you believe? Well, my bet would be on the prophet whose former prophecies had been confirmed by his works and the consistency of his message!

Well, this debate illustrates a problem that, again, is pretty relatable. Turn on the television on Sunday morning and you have Christians preachers making vastly different claims about morality, politics, ecclesiology, and Christian doctrine. A preacher on one side of town claiming that one political stance should be supported, while a preacher on another claims the opposite.

 

How do I know what denomination of Christianity to join? Who has the truth? Especially about controversial moral issues? Is abortion a sin or not? Is divorce a sin or not? Is contraception a sin or not? Is homosexual activity or sex outside of marriage a sin or not? How do we know the Catholic Church possesses the truth amidst thousands of Christian divisions? 

Well, from a historical perspective, we can see, in the Catholic a two-thousand year unbroken sacred tradition on matters of faith and morals. The Holy Spirit preserves the true Church. 

Now, over the last 50 years, since Vatican II, it seems there has been a lot of confusion, some contradictory teachings from clergy and religious. That the Catholic Church is indefectible, meaning, she is protected from error, doesn’t mean that every member of the Church, including the popes, bishops, and priests, will automatically speak the truth, all the time. Rather, in a time of confusion, the Holy Spirit can be detected, working to bring healing and clarity. The ship is being righted. The Lord Jesus, as he does in the Gospel today, is extending his hand to Peter who appears to be sinking, to lift him, to lift the Church out of confusion and error, to live in the fullness of truth.

The Holy Spirit is at work, helping us to detect who are the true prophets, who are the true shepherds, and who are the false ones. The Holy Spirit is at work, in the hearts of the faithful who call upon their bishops and priests to speak clearly, the authentic faith that comes from Christ through the apostles. 

The Holy Spirit is at work to heal division, divisions among Christians which scandal. For the Church is to united in mind and heart, in faith and morals, amongst her members, that we might work effectively and in union with Christ our Head, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the healing of all division in the Church, for the Pope and all Bishops and Priests to be truly faithful in teaching the fullness of Faith, for the conversion of those whose hearts are hardened to the truth of the Gospel. We pray to the Lord.

That leaders of nations may find guidance in the Word of God for proper governance and the pursuit of justice for all.

That Christian families may be places where the Christian faith is studied, understood, observed, and cherished.

For all those who suffer illness, those in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and N. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all goodness, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain