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| Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman. |
The following is a brief reflection on the role and purpose of the Church. I wrote it after digesting much material by Bl. John Henry Newman and Maurice Blondel, two Catholic thinkers whose theology was extremely influential on modern theology. Don't be scared off by the phrase "modern theology;" for anyone who doesn't feel much affinity to Karl Rahner, give these two gents a look--you will not be disappointed, I assure you. Anyway, this was written as the result of digesting the thoughts of these two intellectual giants, as well as the mentoring of one of my greatest Theology teachers at Loyola University, Fr. Peter Bernardi. I hope you enjoy it. Keep in mind that my thoughts are not authoritative representations of Church doctrine, but my own meanderings based on what I've learned. I do intend, of course, for all these writings to adhere to Catholic teaching. Enjoy...
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| Maurice Blondel, looking sharp. |
One of the jobs of the Church is to preserve the Gospel (not referring only to the 4 books in the New Testament, but to the general "Good News" of Christ and his Resurrection), offering it to the present generation and handing it on to the next. However, Jesus was not a robot who acted mechanically according to divine laws, but a person who acted spontaneously according to divine Love. Thus, the Church must view itself less as a preserver of information and more as the agent of a life-changing and earth-shaking message. As the spirit of Christ is continually discerned and lived out by the institution of the Church and in the lives of its members, the Gospel is preserved, offered, and handed on.
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| St. Peter, the keeper of the keys. |
The Apostles were profoundly affected by their experience of Christ: seeing the things he did, how he responded to daily occurrences, how he treated other people, and ultimately how he was willing to submit to the Father's will—and, of course, his Resurrection. In being thus affected they were made able (with the Spirit's help) to gather their experience of Christ into a coherent Gospel message. So, in every age, the present Church acts as the hands and feet of Christ, doing his work according to the needs of the present historical moment. But always the Church must remain faithful to its Master and Founder. Thus, the perennial motto of the Church truly must be: "What would Jesus do?"
Humbly yours,
Joezilla
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