Here am I Lord; I come to do your will
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
I am beyond blessed to be a member of the Catholic Church. There is something very reassuring to be a member of the Church that Jesus founded on Saint Peter and the Apostles. In this world of ever-changing trends and the declining of morals in our society, it is so safe to be in the Catholic Church. With over 2000 years of Scripture, Tradition and a never broken line of Popes since St. Peter, it is good to be Catholic today.
I am safe. I am protected. I am under the umbrella of the Magisterium of the Church. The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church, especially as exercised by bishops and the Pope. It is the official and authoritative teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Like a good Mother, the Church guides and protects her children from the world, the flesh and the devil. The Church gives us Holy Scripture, Traditions and the life of the saints to help us on our journey here. The most precious gifts Jesus gave the Church are the Sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist.
When I decided I knew better than Holy Mother Church and decided to venture out into Protestant Churches, I became very confused and mixed up. I left the Catholic Church for a while. But with the help of a few very dedicated Catholic friends who prayed for me, instructed me and loved me back into the Church again, I am here to stay. I was raised Catholic and a priest told me once that you use to have your mother's Catholic faith but now you have made it your own.
Since that time, I have been on a mission to learn more and more about my Catholic faith. I never, ever want to leave or be deceived again. The Catholic faith is like an ever-ending gold mine. As I continue on my journey, I discover yet another gold gem of the faith. It is an exciting journey that I will never get tired of discovering. And to think I almost missed this Gold Mine experience. All I can say is by the grace of God go I and I will add His ocean of mercy for me and all his children.
Reflection:
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us your Holy Catholic Church and Holy Shepherds to guide us.
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Ephesians 1:18