WE FIND UNITY IN SPIRIT IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

The readings...

"Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. They rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest." [Is. 9:1-4]

"Be in agreement so there be no division among you." [1 Cor. 1:10- 3, 17]

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom." [Mt. 4:12-23]

The homily...

Today's readings have two main messages that inter-relate with one another. First, they teach us that the Kingdom of God was announced by Jesus who was the Light of the world. Secondly, they teach us that within the Kingdom of God, there is unity and harmony.

In the Catholic Church today, we see these messages at work by the efforts of Pope John-Paul II who is trying to unite the believers in Christ through ecumenism. From his efforts, we can say that Pope John-Paul II is a reflection of Christ. He has the Light of Christ, perceiving the true meaning of the Gospel, that the believers in Christ must be united in Christ.

We can stop here and ask ourselves many questions? Are we being thankful to God for His Divine grace of allowing us to be members of the true Church, the one and only Catholic, Holy and Apostolic Church?

Are we persevering in our faith? Are we making personal efforts to see the light of Christ and to grow in holiness by learning the truths that are revealed through the Holy Catholic Church and its Sacraments?

Are we shining lights in the world as Christ was, as Pope John-Paul II is, as the Bishops are and all the priests under their authorities? Do we make a personal effort to bring others to the truth and the light so that they may rejoice with us in the mystical Body of Christ, the invisible Kingdom of God? Or, are we indifferent to our Catholic faith, even contemplating leaving it for another false religion?

As Catholics, we have to firmly believe through supporting knowledge that we are the one and only true Body of Christ. We are the original Church that was established by Christ. Our first Pope, the Apostle Peter, was given the keys to the Kingdom of God with assurance that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. [Mt. 16:18] While the Catholic Church has gone through much persecution and continues to be persecuted today in some countries, it has survived for 2,000 years and it will survive to the end of time.

As Catholics, we also have to realize that the Church of the living God is the pillar and the foundation of the truth. [1 Tim. 3:15] Many of our separated brothers proclaim that the Bible is the pillar and foundation of the truth but this is not what the Bible teaches. How many of you know that there was no Bible during the days of Christ? How many of you know that there was no Bible during the first century? The truth is that the Catholic Church came first! The complete Bible, as we know it today, was compiled by the holy Catholic Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit after the first century. The words found in the New Testament reflects the life and work of Jesus, the work of the Apostles and many other holy people who lived during the first hundred years when the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church was being established.

Considering this overwhelming evidence that there is only One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, many have chosen to start their own religions over the centuries. These divisions now number well over 1,000 different religions.

Why has there been division? Because, for one reason or another, those who have separated, have not accepted the teachings of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church that is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Christ said to the Apostles, "Whoever listens to you listens to Me, and whoever rejects you rejects Me, and whoever rejects Me rejects the one who sent me." [Lk. 10:16] Based on this passage, our separated brothers who reject the message of those who are authorized to represent the Catholic Church, are rejecting Jesus.

It is those who listen to the teachings of the representatives of the Catholic Church that are listening to the teachings of Christ Himself. As often as they participate in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, they are living their faith in the presence of Christ Himself. This is seen in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, the Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick. Through the Sacraments of the Church, faithful Catholics are not neglecting to meet together, encouraging one another. [Heb. 10:25]

Knowing all of this, in support of the ecumenical efforts of Pope John-Paul II who represents the true Church of Christ and as instruments of the Holy Spirit, by the grace of God, we as Catholics and spiritual children of God are obligated to encourage others to unite as one in the Body of Christ to which we belong. We have to set aside our minor differences that divide us when such difference do not compromise the Sacred Traditions of the Catholic Church and the truths that are found in the Holy Bible.

This week, we should make a special effort to share the Catholic faith with someone who is a non-Catholic. In a loving and educating way, our separated friends should be made aware that the Catholic Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. The compiling of the Bible is the result of the inspired work of the Holy Spirit through the Catholic Church. Had the Catholic Church not compiled the Bible, all the other religions would not have a Bible today. What they have, they have taken from the one and only true Church of Christ, the Catholic faith.

When our separated brothers gather on a regular basis to worship, they are repeating the actions of the first Christians of the Catholic Church during its first century of history. When they are appointing a minister or an elder to lead their people, they are modelling after the Holy Orders of the Catholic Church. When they appoint an international leader, they are modelling after the election of the Pope. When they set up Bible Colleges to educate their leaders, they are modelling after the Seminaries of the Catholic Church that trains its priests. And the list continues...

In many ways, we are alike, but divided! Is it not time that we all walk in the light of Christ and unite with one another?

Total: 1021 words.

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