What the Catholic Church Is and Is Not

For many contemplating Catholicism, understanding its true nature can be a hurdle. Individuals may grapple with specific doctrines, liturgical practices, or even the painful reality of clergy sex abuse scandals. Personal anxieties, such as the fear of anonymity in a large parish or the sacrament of reconciliation, can also create barriers. In an age of declining trust in institutions and a prevailing emphasis on "inclusion," the Catholic Church's unique claims about itself can seem counterintuitive, even unjust, to those who view it as simply one spiritual option among many, with arbitrary standards for membership.

However, the Catholic Church's official self-understanding profoundly rejects these popular presumptions. It is emphatically not just a denomination, a club, an ideology, or merely an institution in the conventional sense. The Church does not define itself as something it aspires to become in the future, nor is it a temporary refuge for those disillusioned with secular society. It is neither a prison for the self-loathing nor a dictatorship imposing its will through an oppressive hierarchy. Being Catholic transcends individual feelings or personal preferences for self-actualization.

At its core, the Catholic Church understands itself as the institution established by Jesus Christ to serve as the vital mediator between Him and His people. Its fundamental purpose is to provide the guiding light for believers to live their lives in accordance with divine will, ultimately leading them to an eternal union with God in Heaven. This profound self-definition, deeply rooted in its theological framework as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, distinguishes it from any other human organization or spiritual pursuit.

 

Extend an Act of Shalom

Today's Mass readings call us to a profound understanding of love, particularly as articulated by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: the radical command to love our enemies. This teaching is illuminated by the ultimate test of love: laying down one's life for another, as Jesus himself demonstrated. While the deepest expression of love is often seen in selfless acts for friends, an even more challenging and revealing test lies in loving those who offer nothing in return, or even actively seek our harm. The Passion of Christ provides the perfect example, as Jesus willingly offers his life for those who betrayed, denied, and condemned him, including his own disciples and those who orchestrated his crucifixion.

This divine example of love culminates in Jesus' post-resurrection greeting of "Shalom" – peace – to those very individuals who contributed to his suffering and death. This act of forgiveness and reconciliation reveals the true nature of God's love for us, and in turn, how we are called to love. It's a love that transcends human limitations and expectations, embracing even those who seem unlovable.

Action Item: Reflect on a person in your life with whom you have a difficult relationship. Consider how you might extend an act of "Shalom" – a gesture of peace or understanding, however small – to them this week, drawing inspiration from Christ's boundless love.

 

Embracing the Sacred Heart and Devotionals

Devotionals such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus offer profound avenues for cultivating a more intimate relationship with Christ and deepening our understanding of our need for salvation. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes, prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit (CCC 2565). Devotion to the Sacred Heart focuses our hearts on the immense love of Jesus for humanity, a love so profound that He willingly suffered and died for our redemption. Meditating on the pierced heart of Christ, a symbol of His sacrifice, allows us to grasp the enormity of our sinfulness and the boundless mercy offered through His saving act. These devotional practices move us beyond mere intellectual assent to the truths of our faith and engage our emotions and wills, fostering a deeper, more personal encounter with the living God. By consistently turning our hearts towards Jesus through these practices, we open ourselves more fully to the transformative power of His grace, recognizing our inherent need for the Savior who has loved us first (1 John 4:19).

Furthermore, the use of various Catholic devotionals, grounded in Scripture and Tradition, provides tangible ways to integrate faith into our daily lives. Whether it’s praying the Rosary, meditating on the Stations of the Cross, or reflecting on the lives of the saints, these practices draw us into the mysteries of our faith and the example of those who have faithfully followed Christ. The Bible reminds us of our fallen nature and the necessity of God's intervention for salvation (Romans 3:23). Devotionals serve as practical tools to internalize these truths, fostering humility and a constant awareness of our dependence on God's saving grace. They provide structure and focus for our prayer life, helping us to move beyond superficial interactions with God towards a deeper, more contemplative relationship. Through consistent engagement with these time-honored practices, we cultivate a heart that is more attuned to the voice of Jesus, more receptive to His love, and more keenly aware of our ongoing need for His saving presence in our lives.

Ordination of Priests at the Cathedral of St Joseph

Today marks a momentous occasion for the Diocese of Baton Rouge as Deacons Huy Tran and Josh Zelden are ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. This sacred Rite of Ordination is far more than a ceremonial event; it is a profound sacramental act, where, through the laying on of hands by the Bishop and the consecratory prayer, a gift of the Holy Spirit is conferred, enabling them to exercise a "sacred power" in the person of Christ the Head (CCC 1538, 1548). As the Catholic Ordination book describes, the liturgy itself is rich in symbolism, from the calling of the candidates and their public promises of obedience, to their humble prostration during the Litany of the Saints, signifying their complete surrender to God's will. This day is the culmination of years of formation, prayer, and discernment, preparing them to serve God's people in a unique and indispensable way.

The priesthood, as described by St. Jean Vianney, the Curé of Ars, is a sublime mystery. He famously declared, "The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of His goods... The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you."
This profound understanding highlights the essence of priestly ministry: it is entirely selfless, dedicated to the salvation and sanctification of the faithful. Deacons Tran and Zelden, by virtue of their ordination, will now participate in Christ's unique priesthood, enabling them to preach the Gospel, administer the Sacraments – especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation – and guide God's flock. Their hands, anointed with sacred chrism, are set apart for these holy duties, symbolizing their participation in Christ's own priestly office.

Indeed, the Church teaches that the ministerial priesthood, which Deacons Tran and Zelden now enter, "is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church" (CCC 1547). St. Jean Vianney further emphasized the priest's essential role, saying, "If there were no priest, the Passion and death of Jesus would serve no purpose. What use is a treasure chest full of gold if there is no one who can unlock it? The priest has the key to the treasures of Heaven." Through their commitment to celibacy and their promise of obedience to the Bishop, Fathers Tran and Zelden embrace a life wholly consecrated to the Lord for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. As they embark on their new assignments as parochial vicars and vocation recruiters, let us pray that they will be filled with the grace to faithfully fulfill their sacred office, bringing countless souls closer to Christ and unlocking the treasures of His mercy for all.

Saint Anthony of Padua: From Aspiring Martyr to Eloquent Preacher

Born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, Saint Anthony of Padua initially joined the Augustinian Canons Regular, immersing himself in prayer and Scripture. His quiet scholarly life took a dramatic turn when the bodies of five Franciscan martyrs, slain for preaching to Muslims in Morocco, were brought to his monastery. Deeply moved, Fernando felt a burning desire to emulate their sacrifice and joined the newly formed Franciscan order, taking the name Anthony. He immediately set sail for Morocco, hoping to preach the Gospel and achieve martyrdom. However, a severe illness forced his return journey, and a storm providentially redirected his ship to Sicily. This unexpected detour led him to the famed Pentecost "Chapter of Mats" in Assisi, where he likely met St. Francis himself. Unbeknownst to his new brothers, Anthony possessed a brilliant intellect and profound scriptural knowledge that would soon be revealed.

Anthony's hidden talents came to light quite by accident. At an ordination ceremony in Forli, when no one else was prepared to preach, he was humbly called upon to "speak whatever the Holy Spirit put in his mouth." What followed astonished everyone: an eloquent, fervent, and learned sermon that captivated the audience. This marked the end of his quiet, contemplative life and the beginning of his prolific ministry as a public preacher. St. Francis, recognizing Anthony's extraordinary gifts, soon commissioned him to preach throughout Italy and later appointed him the first theological instructor for the Franciscan order. Anthony's sermons, characterized by their passionate delivery, profound theological insights, and accessibility, drew immense crowds, often spilling out of churches into public squares. He became known as the "Hammer of Heretics" for his ability to gently but effectively guide those astray back to the Catholic faith, preferring to present the "grandeur of Christianity in positive ways."

Saint Anthony's unparalleled understanding of Scripture and his powerful ability to communicate its truths earned him widespread renown, even from Pope Gregory IX, who famously called him "the Ark of the Testament." His sermons, a rich blend of scriptural exegesis, practical guidance, and stirring calls to repentance, profoundly impacted countless souls. Though he lived a mere 36 years, his influence was immense, leading to widespread moral reformation and numerous miracles. Over seven centuries after his death in 1231, Pope Pius XII formally recognized his immense theological contributions and declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1946, bestowing upon him the unique title of "Evangelical Doctor" – a fitting tribute to a man whose life and ministry were so deeply centered on proclaiming the good news of Christ. 

How Sin Creeps In Unnoticed

Sin often infiltrates our lives not with a grand, dramatic entrance, but through subtle, almost imperceptible shifts in our thinking and behavior. We become experts at rationalizing our choices, finding countless justifications for actions that subtly deviate from God's will. This tendency is deeply intertwined with relativistic thinking, where objective truth and moral absolutes are blurred, allowing us to define "good" and "bad" based on personal convenience or societal norms rather than divine command. What might once have been clearly recognized as a transgression slowly becomes an acceptable "gray area," a minor fault, or even a necessary evil. We convince ourselves that our intentions are good, or that the circumstances somehow excuse our actions, effectively blinding ourselves to the gradual accumulation of spiritual debt.

The insidious nature of sin's infiltration is precisely its quiet, unannounced arrival. We might engage in gossip, dismissing it as harmless sharing of information. We might indulge in excessive comforts, labeling it self-care. We might harbor resentment, calling it righteous anger. These small compromises, driven by our inherent self-centeredness, desensitize us to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and diminish our moral clarity. Before we know it, a pattern of behavior has emerged that, while perhaps not outwardly scandalous, has subtly distanced us from God and hindered our spiritual growth. The danger lies in this unconscious drift, the slow erosion of our commitment to holiness, making the "Christian response to sin" feel less necessary, less urgent, until a more significant transgression brings us to a jarring halt.

Yet, even in the midst of our failings, God's grace is always at work. As Romans 8:28 assures us, "all things work for good for those who love God," and as St. Thomas Aquinas wisely noted, this includes even our sins. God, in His infinite power, can bring good from nothing, and so too can He bring good from our transgressions. When we stumble and, through His grace, rise from our sins, we often do so with greater humility and a sharper awareness of our constant need for Him. Our failings, paradoxically, can become crucibles of wisdom, teaching us not to "extol ourselves or trust in our powers to persevere." This renewed understanding of our dependence on God is a precious gift, allowing us to navigate life with greater caution and a deeper reliance on His unfailing strength.

Choosing the Narrow Road: A Path to Eternal Life

Our Savior, in the Gospel of Matthew, presents us with a profound choice: "Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad the road leading to destruction, and many there are who go that route. But how narrow the gate and hemmed in is the road leading to life, and few there are who find it!" Saint Augustine wisely unpacks this teaching, revealing two distinct paths before us: one wide and leading to death, the other narrow and leading to eternal life. It is a stark warning and a loving invitation. To choose the path of life means to actively turn away from the allure of the broad road, which, as Augustine explains, is "constantly traveled by swarms of people" indulging in vices and evil passions. This broad way, though seemingly offering many attractions and populated by the majority, ultimately leads to damnation.

What then, defines this "roomy thoroughfare" of vice? It is the highway of shame and excess, frequented by multitudes who embrace intemperance, impurity, and greed. Consider the path of drunkenness, wide enough to accommodate all who lack self-control. Or the road of impurity, servicing all the unchaste. And then there is the road of avarice, teeming with those who unjustly seize their neighbor's goods. These are the broad roads, ardently desired and sought out by vast throngs, but as our Lord reminds us, "many are called, but few are chosen." We must resist the temptation to follow the crowd, for society often champions sin over righteousness. Is it not infinitely preferable to possess the heavenly and eternal kingdom with the few, rather than to plunge into eternal punishment with the multitude?

The narrow way, in contrast, is described by the Lord as "difficult not only to negotiate but even to find." This difficulty is not due to a lack of seekers, but a lack of diligence in seeking. Many claim to be searching for salvation, simply by virtue of being members of the Church, but are they truly assiduous and persevering? Can one genuinely seek the road to salvation while simultaneously yielding to intemperance, avarice, or impurity? These vices lead directly to death, rendering a true search for life impossible. Thus, the Savior laments, "How few there are who find it!" This narrow way often appears hidden, not in one specific area, but in a multitude of virtues. It is concealed in faithful belief, for "unless you believe, you will not understand," and in chastity, for "the impure will not possess the kingdom of God." It is also hidden in acts of charity, as "almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin."

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, if we truly desire to find and walk this one right path, we must embrace and diligently safeguard the virtues that constitute the road to life. This journey requires unwavering faith, unblemished chastity, and boundless charity. By following this route, we will enter into eternal light and possess the life that never ends. Let us choose wisely, for our eternal destiny hangs in the balance.