COMMUNITY V - The Truth: Born-again Catholic Christian

COMMUNITY V

OICES

I could understand that my chief titles to fame are: as a medical doctor, philanthropist, and my brief and pungent essays. I have more firmness of mind than perhaps you may imagine, and it is very probable that in the course of this correspondence, you will think I push this quality too far, even to severity.

But let us return to the point. I wondered why protestants or ex-catholics rashly judge of the awful mysteries of the life and Passion of Christ, which Catholic teachers themselves pronounce incomprehensible? Why, moreover, will they rave, chattering idly about the innumerable miracles, and signs, which, after Christ, his Apostles and Disciples and later many thousands of Saints performed in evidence and confirmation of the truth of the Catholic Faith, through the omnipotent power of God, and innumerable instances of which, through the same omnipotent Mercy and loving- kindness of God, are happening even now in our days, throughout the whole world? If you cannot contradict these, as you certainly cannot, why do you object any longer?

But let us also descend to the truth of fact, as it really is the foundation of the Catholic Christian religion. How, if you give the matter due consideration, will you dare to deny the efficacy of the consensus of so many myriads of men, of whom some thousands have been, and are, many miles ahead of us in doctrine, in learning, in true and rare importance and in perfection of life? All these unanimously and with one voice declare that Christ, the incarnate son of the living God, suffered, and was crucified, and died for the sins of the human race, and rose again, was transfigured, and reigns in heaven as God, together with the eternal Father in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, and the remaining doctrines which belong here. I have written this to you with truly Christian intention and as a born-again Catholic Christian.

Perhaps you will say that Catholics have not or read Holy Scripture as frequently as you have, and it is from Holy Scripture itself, the recognition of whose authority constitutes the difference between Christians and the remaining peoples of the world, that you prove your views. You explain Holy Scripture by applying the clear texts to the more obscure, and from this interpretation of yours you form your Doctrines, or confirm those which are already produced in your brain.

But I adjure you seriously to consider what you say. For how do you know that you make the said application correctly, and, next, that the application, even if made correctly, is sufficient for the interpretation of the Holy Scripture on a sound basis? Especially since Catholics say, and it is very true, that the whole Word of God is not given in writing, so that Holy Scripture cannot be explained through Holy Scripture alone,I will not say, by one man but not not even by the Church itself, which is the sole interpreter of Holy Scripture. For the Apostolic traditions must also be consulted. This is proved from Holy Scripture itself, and by the testimony of the Holy Fathers, and it is in accord not only with right reason but also with experience.

The baptismal ceremony (and the catholic sacrament of confirmation) relates our rebirth through baptism to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christian rebirth from water and Spirit is a birth to hope ...to an imperishable inheritance. It is all for you “who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith”. Although you have never seen the Lord Jesus, you love him, and without seeing you believe in him.

A well-known Baptist preacher of Harlem used to say: “Keep the faith, baby!” This is a folksy way of saying it. But the underlying concern must be ours, and it should be done in fellowship with others! Faith comes by hearing the word of the risen Lord who addresses Thomas personally. Christianity knows the golden rule: Faith comes from hearing. It is God, personally addressing you in an “I-Thou” situation! This intangible situation can never be fully explained just as we cannot explain what exactly happens when someone falls in love! Respond when the Lord says: “Shalompeace” to you in any situation of your life and keep that faith alive!

Our growth in faith is made through the ministry of God’s word (first part of Mass: Bible readings and explanation in the homily) and comes to its fulfillment in the celebration of the Eucharist — a sacramental meal. A Christian can know a great deal about our Lord without knowing him as a person! Make every Sunday worship service a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus in both Scripture and Sacrament (the Eucharist).

Semper Fidelis — Dr. Osmond Ekwueme, Medford