The Church and Christ are Inseperable

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has said what I have been trying to say for years.

Speaking to about 30,000 people in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father said that there is "a deep, inseparable, and mysterious connection" between Jesus and the Church founded on his apostles. Warning against "individualistic" approaches to faith, and the temptation to separate individual piety from "organized religion," the Pope said: "There is no conflict between Christ and his Church."

In commissioning the apostles, the Pope explained, Jesus left a clear sign that he wanted a constant presence in the world, to bear witness to Him and spread the Gospel. The Pontiff said that "the entire mission of the incarnate Son has a community goal."

Despite the inevitable weaknesses of human agents, the Pope continued, the Church reflects the face of Jesus Christ. Today's Church, led by bishops to whom the faith was passed down from the original apostles, remains intimated linked with the Savior, and in the teachings of the Church "we can read the truth of Christ."

The Holy Father prompted warm applause from the large crowd when he drove home the point: "The slogan that was fashionable a few years ago-- 'Jesus Yes, Church No'-- is completely irreconcilable with the intentions of Christ." Pope Benedict has continued the pattern set by Pope John Paul II, offering weekly meditations on a set topic. For the first several months of his pontificate he continued the series begun by his predecessor, with weekly meditations on the psalms and canticles of the Divine Office. At his February 15 audience he wrapped up that cycle of talks, which Pope John Paul had begun in April 2001, having covered all of the psalms and canticles. (Source: CWNews)

I agree wholeheartedly with the Holy Father's words. It is quite clear that Our Lord created ONE Church on St. Peter in Matthew 16:18. And only the Catholic Church, with St. Peter as the first pope, can trace itself back to the time of Christ; no other denomination can do this because for nearly 1500 the Catholic Church was the only denomination of Christianity.

In today's world we live in a society where the Church is ignored and secularism embraced. Yet, as the Holy Father said previously on April 18, 2005, "Being an 'adult' means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today's fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth."

These words from the homily that began the conclave that would elect him and his words today both illustrate the same theme - Jesus Christ and the Church are one. For the Church has never shifted position to the times, rather, like Christ, it will remain true until the very end.

In the words of St. Joan of Arc, said before she was condemned to death for Christ, "About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter."