The Word Matters

With Pope Francis’ passing, as with Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II before him, we confront our mortality and our smallness before God’s greatness. The Pope guides us toward God, yet even he is bound by human limits—knowledge, lifespan, and reign. Popes change, but the Word endures forever.

Consider, Peter, our first vicar. Despite his greatness, he faltered: denying Jesus three times, doubting Jesus as he walked on water, and lacking confidence in Jesus in the midst of a storm. Yet, Jesus chose Peter as the rock on which he built His Church. That flawed rock that succumbed to fear - Satan's favorite tool - and later stood tall as he was crucified upside down preaching in the name of Jesus to his death. That's the Good News of the Bible - Redemption. It was true for Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Augustine, Mary Magdelene, and it is true for us. God promises to exalt us, even if we are flawed, provided we live by His Word.

The Word

John 1:1-5, 9-13, 14, 17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him, not anything was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.…The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew him not. He came to His own home, and His own people received Him not. But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God; who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God…. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory of the only begotten son from the Father….For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Word is the only thing that matters. As Apostle's Creed declares, He will come again to judge the living and the dead and he will judge us according to our works. The last sentence of the Bible (Revelations 22:21) seals it: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.”

So the question is do you need to be a saint to be saved? The answer to that question, of course, is no. We must become divine.

We can only become divine through the Word. Jesus united Himself to our humanity so that we might share in His divinity. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son for the salvation of many. Not to save all or most, only to save many. God will save those who live in accordance to the Word.

Jesus told us that we must love God with all our heart and all our soul, and put him above all things. We must put God first in our lives. Jesus gave us His body and blood to nourish our souls and commanded us to do it in memory of Him. He asked us to keep the Sabbath day holy by allowing Him to unite with us by consuming his body and blood, the Eucharist. He also calls us to: love our neighbor, treat others as we wish to be treated, pray for our enemies, and forgive our persecutors.

The New Golden Calf

And yet, we stray. Pope Benedict XVI warned the true threat to the Church is humanistic ideologies that are formulating an anti-Christian creed. Benedict lamented that "we live in a time when most Catholics, and indeed most Christians, scarcely know their own faith." Cardinal Sarah warns, "If truth no longer exists, if everything is relative, then man becomes a slave to his passions."  The late Father Mark Beard, in his sermons “The Mass” and “Are You Catholic?,” listed excuses for skipping Mass: hunting, kids’ sports, vacations. (Both of those homilies should be required for every Catholic!) We dismiss Mass as boring, ignoring its grace.

Western society is crafting a new Golden Calf, prioritizing self over God, culture over the Eucharist. Modern temptations—accessible via smartphones and Internet—favor instant gratification over Heaven. In our Sports, playing aggressive, getting in the face of your opponent, and intimidating your opponent is a virtue. Win at all costs. It carries over to public setting where disrespecting your neighbor and dropping F-bombs and taking the Lord's name in vein in public in front of others, including children, is accepted. It is in the music, TV shows and the workplace. No wonder we mistake abortion for a woman's right; deviance for love; and prioritize diversity over the dignity of each person.

Instead of hallow, many Catholics' faith is hollow: We have become so tolerant of others that we would rather offend God. Only 17% of Catholics attend weekly services. Fewer make regular confessions. Only about 25% of Catholics believe in the transubstantiation of the Eucharist. We have regressed so far that few carry a rosary, wear a religious medallion or put a nativity scene on their front lawn, instead of Santa Claus, the Grinch, or Frosty. We cower to our culture keeping our faith hid under a bushel instead of sharing it with the world.

A Prayer for the Church

I pray the next Pope refocuses on our core: filling pews, revering the Eucharist, embracing confession, serving neighbors, and teaching our Faith to the flock and their children. We must boldly proclaim Jesus as Savior, reject false gods, and live according to the Word—the only path to salvation.

Popes, politicians, musicians, actors will come and go - as will we. Only the Word endures. Keep your eyes fixed on the Him.

Come Holy Spirit and light the fire in our hearts and souls so that we will have the courage and conviction of Peter to proclaim the Word to the world.