Katekismo Corner: On Ecclesiology: No. 36

-

 




On Ecclesiology

After the Catechesis on the Sacraments of Initiation, it is now good to talk about the Church so that we will at least know what we have entered into. We remember, one of the effects of Baptism is that the baptized has become a member of the Church. And so let us do some Ecclesiology, meaning, a study of the Church. This finds importance especially when there is a proliferation of churches or when we find ourselves in a place where Catholics are a minority.

To know what our Church really is, it is good to read the Vatican II Document on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church known by its incipit “Lumen Gentium”, [Christ is] the Light of Nations. This document answers the question, “what constitutes the Church?”. Just like a country, school or organization, that is defined by a Constitution, it is best to know what defines us as a Church. What, where and who we are, what do we do, and how and why we do it. In short, Lumen Gentium teaches us the Identity and Mission of the Church. If we want a lighter read, we can refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the heading “I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church”.

When we profess our faith especially when we renew our baptismal promises, we say “I believe in…. the Holy Catholic Church” and the Nicene Creed adds “One and Apostolic”. These are the Marks of the True Church of Christ that is why the proper name of our Church is the “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Our Lord Jesus Christ established a Church and entrusted her to His Apostles. Of course, we know that Jesus did not construct a physical structure or a building. What He founded was a Community of His Disciples. From the Latin word “ecclesia” which means a convocation or an assembly of people called by God, Church means the gathering of people who willingly answered the call of Jesus to follow Him.  Having been established by Jesus himself who is Holy, this One Church is Holy and calls all her members to a life of holiness. When the Apostles, meaning, the ones sent by Jesus, spread the Good News to the nations, smaller communities of disciples were born like the Church of Jerusalem, Church of Antioch, Church of Ephesus, Church of Rome, and others, but they all form the bigger community of disciples of Jesus Christ. This character of universality was what prompted St. Irenaeus to call her the Catholic Church. Yes, the Church Jesus established is everywhere and truly embracing. But for the Church to be truly Catholic, she must be in full communion with the Pope who, as the successor of Peter, is the visible head of the Church. Lastly, for a Church to be True, she must be Apostolic, meaning, she must find her roots or origin from the Apostles on whom Jesus founded His Church.

500 years ago, this One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ reached the shores of our beloved country, the Philippines. Thanks be to God and thanks to the brave missionaries. May the gift we received, lead us to give it too…

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inspiring In-depth Interview with George Nasr

-
Image
( Mister George Nasr, farthest left ) Currently, parts of the nation are still suffering the destruction brought about by the Super Typhoon Gaemi, and that is just during storm season. Even on ordinary days, in June of this year 2024, the Head of the Maronites On Mission from Australia, Mister George Nasr, conducted a special charity endeavour. Tell me something more about this mission. How is it different from the regular charity work of the Maronites? Mr. Nasr, “The regular work I do with Maronites On Mission (MOM) usually targets and helps the masses. Larger groups of people whom benefit from large scale humanitarian aid. This mission was different, very specific, targeted to help individual needs of people.” When did you arrive in Naga and when was the mission accomplished? Mr. Nasr, “ I’ve been in the Philippines since June 17 through to June the 29th.” You mentioned that you and your three-member-team booked accommodations at a local hotel, this showed your dedication to help the...
Continue reading...»

We are The Carpios | How our legacy began and continues...

-
Image
The Holy Family Carpio assumes top NBI post Carpio was appointed the 10th director of the National Bureau of Investigation. Carpio, 54, was an active human rights lawyer under the Marcos regime, the reason why he was detained when martial law was declared in 1972, and again in 1981, while seeking justice for victims of the Daet Massacre of June 14, 1981. Born on October 25, 1931, in Naga City, he finished his high school at the Camarines Norte High School in 1949 and his pre-law degree, at the Ateneo de Naga in 1951. After completing his second year in law at the University of the Philippines in 1953 as a scholar, he was called to active service into the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a member of the 8th and 10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT). He was transferred to the Philippine Constabulary in 1959, during which he completed his last two years in law at the San Beda College in 1962 where he placed 14th in the 1962 bar examinations. Then, h...
Continue reading...»

Katekismo Corner: On Sponsors of Baptism: No. 33

-
Image
  On Sponsors of Baptism We are always delighted when our Ninong or Ninang gives us a gift during Christmas. And so often, parents would choose Sponsors who are well-to-do and are known to be generous. They, the Ninong and Ninang, usually volunteer to “sponsor” or take care of the fees, give gifts, and even shoulder the expenses for the celebration. Sometimes too, parents would choose Sponsors as a reward for friendship. But more than that, the spiritual bond created should be given a priority. This is why, the Code of Canon Law devotes a whole chapter on the Sponsors of Baptism that specifies the qualifications, duties and obligations of a Sponsor, to guide the Parents, with the help of the Pastor, in choosing a Sponsor. It is good to review them here. The primary function of a Sponsor is to stand witness to the conferral of the Sacrament of Baptism. This finds special importance since Baptism is conferred only once and if records are lost, the testimony under oath by the sponso...
Continue reading...»