Father Corapi: The Catholic Church Ultimately Cannot Fail In Her Mission!

Courageous Priest ^ | 1-1-11 | Fr Corapi

[mlizzy]

Reflecting the thought of the church through the ages, the Catechism (#760) reminds us that Christians of the first centuries said, “The world was created for the sake of the Church.” God created the world for the sake of communion with his divine life, a communion brought about by the “convocation” of men in Christ, and this “convocation” is the Church. Many people have problems with the Church quite simply because they do not understand its origins, its mission, or its end. The Catholic Church is not a mere human invention, like a political or social entity. The Church is of divine institution; Jesus Christ himself instituted the Church, not mere men after his Ascension (#763-766)

We recall a striking scene from the Gospel of Matthew: Jesus and his disciples are passing through the region of Caesarea Philippi – a region known for its pagan religions. The Mater asks his disciples who they say that the Son of Man is. It was perhaps one of the first public opinion polls regarding Christianity. The results of such polls of mere personal opinions, then as now, are less than satisfying: “Some say John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” These were conflicting and contradictory guesses and opinions that have none of the ring of authority and authenticity the human spirit needs in order to walk confidently in the dark night of faith. Then, one voice rang out, the voice of Simon: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” The response of the Lord is the definitive answer when it comes to answering the question, “Who founded the Church?”: “Blest are you, Simon son of John! No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. I for my part declare to you, you are ‘Rock,’ and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it.” Note who the “I” is: the “I” is a divine person, the subject of action is divine; God himself institutes the Church. The Church is not a mere human institution. Christ, the eternal Word, the Father’s Son, institutes and builds his Church on the “Rock.”

All through the Old Testament, “Rock” with an uppercase”R” refers to God himself. Then in the Gospel of Matthew referred to above, we see Jesus, the “Rock,” because he is a divine subject of action, renaming Simon “Rock.” Jesus, the real “Rock,” is also referred to as the “bridegroom” or “groom” as well in Scripture. The Church is his “bride” (#796). We know, also from the Word, that in marriage, whether natural or supernatural, the “two become one flesh.” Jesus and his church are one; bridegroom and bride are one. Hence, Christ is naming Peter “Rock”, one with himself. There is no other “Rock” other than Christ absolutely speaking. However, the Rock, in a mystical marriage, unites his beloved bride, the Church, to himself. Simon is named “Rock”, and whoever hears the Rock Peter is hearing the Rock who is Christ; whoever rejects the Rock who is Peter, rejects the Rock Christ and the One who sent him, the Father.

You cannot separate the Lord Jesus from his beloved body and bride, the Church. To reject the teaching of Peter and his successors the Roman pontiffs, together with the bishops who are united with the Holy Father in teaching the one faith which has been handed down faithfully from the apostles, is to reject the teaching of Jesus Christ, and the One who sent him, the Father (cf. Luke 10:16).

The Catholic Church can never fail ultimately, although her members can and do. The Church is far more than the sum of her human members, for if that were the case the Church would surely have fallen long ago. The most important member of the Church is her head, Christ the Lord (#792-795). The soul of the Church, the life-giving power, the animator and sanctifier of the Church, is the Holy Spirit. The head and soul of the Church is God; the Church will never fail. The storms of time and the tempests stirred up by earthly kings and rulers come and go; their crowns rise and fall, and roll in the dust but the Church goes on. Mere personal opinions come and go. Some say this, some say that, but mere personal opinion cannot move the Rock.

Head and body are one; bridegroom and bride are one. Those who attack the Church attack Christ. When Saul of Tarsus was persecuting the newborn church on his way to Damascus, he was knocked off his horse by the light who is Christ. “He fell to the ground and at the same time heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, sir?’ he asked. The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.’” Saul was “breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,” against the Church. Christ told him clearly that he was persecuting him, Jesus, the Lord. Christ and his church are one. To love Jesus truly, we must love his church.

In an age of violence and violent change, it is comforting to know that we are so intimately one with Christ, residing in his body and his bride, the Church. Transcending time and space, the Church is relevant to all people at all times and in all places. Indeed, to be rooted in the Rock, to be one with the Rock, keeps us from being swept away by the strife and storms of any time and any place.

[mlizzy]

"Rock" on, Fr. Corapi ...
http://rosaryforpeace.com

[SumProVita]

Fr. Corapi is Da’Bomb!

He speaks TRUTH in a powerful way!!!

[mlizzy]

Fr. Corapi is Da’Bomb! He speaks TRUTH in a powerful way!!!

I love it!! And it's so true ...

[Mr Rogers]

“To reject the teaching of Peter and his successors the Roman pontiffs, together with the bishops who are united with the Holy Father in teaching the one faith which has been handed down faithfully from the apostles, is to reject the teaching of Jesus Christ, and the One who sent him, the Father...”

Um...no. If Jesus, in Matt 16:16, was trying to teach that he wanted Peter to be his Vicar, and for Peter’s successors in Rome to be Vicar after him, then Jesus sure did a bad job of saying so.

This leads to the conclusion that either God is stupid, or Jesus wasn’t saying what you claim he was saying. I choose door number 2.

I would also dispute that many teachings of the Catholic Church were handed down faithfully from the Apostles, since the Apostles seemed ignorant of transubstantiation, Purgatory, indulgences, Mary_wife of God, etc.

[jafojeffsurf]

Ping.

[mlizzy]

This leads to the conclusion that either God is stupid, or Jesus wasn’t saying what you claim he was saying. I choose door number 2.

The saint wannabes like Fr. Corapi, speak the Truth as they know it, and more importantly, as *they* -- the canonized saints! -- knew it.

[Mr Rogers]

Yes, I understand that Catholics claim the Pope is the Vicar of Christ. It just seems to have been unknown to the Apostles...

[mlizzy]

I have just come off a Traditional Latin Mass (low) (this the feast day of Mary, Mother of God) with a saintly priest officiating, and my husband and I were sitting in the first pew and it was if we were sitting in heaven. I kept wondering if earth can be this beautiful inside a Catholic Church, what in the world must heaven be like?

There's nothing wrong with being a Protestant if one loves their Jesus and their faith, and doesn't give others a hard time, but the power, the beauty, the "reality" of the Eucharistic Lord cannot be denied by anyone who truly knows Him in the Breaking of the Bread. I love the Catholic faith. Missouri Synod, while nice when I was a little kid, couldn't keep me buoyant when the seas got rough.

[sayuncledave]

Mr. Rogers, I think you’re great, and I respect that we do not agree here. I agree with mlizzy and others. Father Corapi knocks it outta the park. Remember Matthew 28:20. Better yet, if I may be so bold, I am including a link to an older article, perhaps appropriate, and certainly more eloquent than I.
http://www.drbo.org/church2.htm

Either way, like I said, I do respect you, and, were we neighbors, I’d still invite you for barbecues. ;)
ps - Mary? Not “wife of God” The way we Catholics phrase it (and I must hurry, gluten free pizza is cooling here) is Mother of God.

[Jvette]

Father Corapi is always a joy to see or read. Thanks and Happy New Year

[JesusIsLord]

I was raised Catholic - K-12 Catholic school, altar boy, daily mass, etc. Frankly, Catholicism didn’t do much for my soul. I needed Jesus big time in my young life but Catholicism simply didn’t provide Him. I think it’s fair to say that Catholicism for me and hundreds of millions like me - is/was mostly a religion of rote and principals. Rote and principals, regardless of how lofty, will not save your soul. For the past 35 years I have had a relationship with Christ that has made a real difference in my life. I have tasted and experienced the Holy Spirit. I have a Governor -in me and in the Word (written and living). Catholicism seems to be all about the RC church having people submitting to it. Christianity is about people submitting to and having a relationship with Christ.

[LetMarch]

I agree with Mr. Rogers, in my years of been saved over 57 years, and studying, searching and memorizing the Holy Scriptures; I find none of those given in Gods word or instruction.(I mean Purgatory,Transubstaniation,indugances, the deifying of Mary, etc.) In fact I have found the teach the opposite.

What I have found is God is no respector of persons, with men these things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.

‘To as many as receive Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God.”

Jesus came not into the world to condemn the world, but that the world may be saved through His Son Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost!

“But God commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

“God has hid these things from the wise and prudent, but has shown it unto babes.”

Jesus said: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy,and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30)

[surroundedbyblue]

Thank you so much for posting this!!! I LOVE Fr. Corapi (and I’d put him up against any of the smug know-nothings on FR)!

[markomalley]

Father Corapi: The Catholic Church Ultimately Cannot Fail In Her Mission!

Indeed, she cannot. Now as for it...

...it will try its best to do so...but Christ will protect her from it.

[Salvation]

**To love Jesus truly, we must love his church.**

And many people do not love the church. Their loss; our gain.

[Salvation]

Sounds like you are still Catholic if you were baptized a Catholic. Come back to the Church, sit down with a priest and find that peace of Christ. Get your questions answered.

Catholicims is not a religion of rote — sorry if that was your experience. Wish you could be in my Bible Study class!

Catholics are all about having a relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I don’t know why you were instructed otherwise.

Prayers for you to come back to the Church.

[Salvation]

BTW, I just noticed your screename. That could be the motto of the Catholic Church.

Yes! Jesus is Lord!

[Salvation]

Jesus is Lord!

We say that at every Mass!

[one Lord one faith one baptism]

It never fails to amaze me the people who post false accusations against the Church, yet claim to be a Christian. Latest example “the deifying of Mary” The Church has always taught Mary is a created being and it would be a grave sin to deify or worship her in any way. Worship is due God alone and that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If “LetMarch” has any evidence to the contrary, please submit it.
The problem is these posters treat the Church as if it is a human institution, rather than the Body of Christ. First, they claim to follow the 16th century invention of “sola scriptura” , but they don’t even follow that when it conflicts with their personal ideas. Case in point, no Transubstaniation in the Bible. Really?? What about “This is My Body” don’t you understand? The Holy Spirit has led the Catholic Church for almost 2,000 years to believe Jesus is really present in the Eucharist. St. Ignatius, who was taught personally by St. John ( please read the sixth Chapter of St. John ) wrote that the Gnostics abstained from the Eucharist because they didn’t believe it was the Body of Christ. Excuse me, but I align my Faith with St. Ignatius ( taught by St John and martyred in Rome ) rather than someone who thinks the Church has been wrong on the Eucharist for almost 2,000 years. Once private interpertation comes in, anything is possible i guess.

[Jeff Chandler]

The word “Trinity” is not in the Bible either, but the concept sure is.