The document discusses the four marks of the Catholic Church: that it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. It explains that the Church possesses these marks through Christ and the Holy Spirit, not of itself. It then examines each mark in more detail, describing how the Church's unity comes from God, how it is made holy through Christ, and how it is universal and traces its leadership to the apostles.
The document discusses the four marks of the Catholic Church: that it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. It explains that the Church possesses these marks through Christ and the Holy Spirit, not of itself. It then examines each mark in more detail, describing how the Church's unity comes from God, how it is made holy through Christ, and how it is universal and traces its leadership to the apostles.
The document discusses the four marks of the Catholic Church: that it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. It explains that the Church possesses these marks through Christ and the Holy Spirit, not of itself. It then examines each mark in more detail, describing how the Church's unity comes from God, how it is made holy through Christ, and how it is universal and traces its leadership to the apostles.
“I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church …” The Four Marks • One can identify the Catholic Church and her mission by these four marks – The Church does not have these marks from herself but only through Christ and the Spirit – They are inseparably linked with each other • Faith - The 4 marks are an object of faith – Only by faith in Christ can one see them in their fullness • Reason - The four marks are indicated to reason – Historical longevity despite dramatic changes in culture; e.g. fall of the Roman Empire or the Renaissance – Astounding propagation to every nation – Continual works of Charity in every age; e.g. hospitals and formal education The Church is One • The Church is one because of her: – Source which is the unity of the Trinity – Founder which is Jesus Christ who came to reconcile us to God in one body through the cross (cf. Eph 2:15) – Soul which is the Holy Spirit who brings about and animates communion among the faithful • Part of Jesus’ mission was to re-establish the unity of all people – Babel: explanation of the divisions among humanity – Pentecost: the means by which God restored unity Bonds of Unity • Invisible bonds of Unity – Charity - Above all the Spirit’s gift of charity binds the Church together in harmony • Visible bonds of Unity – Faith - Profession of one Apostolic Faith – Sacraments - Common celebration of worship – Governance – Apostolic succession through Holy Orders • The one Church which Jesus founded “subsists in” or is fully present in the Catholic Church – Only through the Catholic Church can one obtain the fullness of the means of salvation since Christ has entrusted these means to the apostles and their successors Unity and Diversity • In the midst of the unity of the Church there is always a great diversity of: – Divine gifts – People who receive them – Traditions (little “t” traditions) • Diversity is a part of authentic unity (e.g. man and woman) but can also be a source of sinful division • Sin constantly threatens the gift of the Church’s unity – “I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Cor 1:10) Wounds to Unity • From the time of the apostles to today there have arisen various dissensions when certain communities became separated from full communion with the Catholic Chruch – The Corinthian and Galatian communities – Gnosticism, Arianism, Nestorianism, etc… – The Easter Orthodox – Protestant reformation, Lutherinism, Calvinism, Anglicanism etc… • Often times especially in later centuries of the Church, individuals from both sides were to blame Separated Brethren • Today there are many Christian communities which are separated from full communion with the Catholic Church (approx. 38,000) – The Church sees these communities as brothers and sisters because of our common baptism in Christ – Many elements of sanctification and truth can be found in these communities – Examples - belief in Christ our Savior, the Trinity, the scriptures, grace, charitable works, baptism, prayer – These elements lead toward Christian unity Toward Unity: Ecumenism • All Catholics are called to work for Christian unity – Conversion of heart, prayer, fraternal knowledge, and dialogue – Jesus’ High priestly prayer • Ecumenism - the quest for unity among all Christians – Dialogue of charity – seeks the building up of good relationships – Dialogue of life – joins in common efforts such as prayer or social good – Dialogue of salvation – recognizing the Jesus prayed, “that they may means of salvation that are present in all be one; even as you, Father, different communities are in me, and I in you, that – Dialogue of truth – discusses the they also may be one in us, so differences and similarities of doctrines that the world may believe that – Dialogue of union – takes the steps thou hast sent me.” Jn 17:21 toward full unity The Church is Holy • As a matter of faith the Church is unfailingly holy because of her: – Source - The Church is unfailingly holy because Christ, who is all holy, loved her and has united her to Himself (read Eph 5:25-27) – Means - Sanctified by Christ the Church is also sanctifying; in the Church one finds the fullness of the means of sanctification; e.g. all the sacraments – Goals - All the activities of the Church are directed toward the sanctification of men and woman and the glorification of God – Canonized Saints – who have reached the goal of Heaven and are models and intercessors for us – Vocation - Holiness or charity is the vocation or call of all the members of the Church (Charity is so closely bound to holiness that the two are almost synonymous) At Once Holy and Imperfect • The Church on earth is at once holy and always in need of purification and renewal – All her members including her ministers must acknowledge that they are sinners • Parable of the weeds among the wheat – In the Church there will always be found those growing in holiness and those growing in sinfulness (Mt 13:24-30) – In every individual, the weeds of sin will still be mixed with the good wheat of the Gospel