CTH Final

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Susan Soderstrom Professor Brejon de Lavergnee Introduction to Catholicism November 19, 2022 Introduction to Catholicism Final According to LA Catholics, a person is said to be fully initiated in the Catholic Church when s/he has received the three sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (“Becoming A Catholic”). This may be Catholicism “by the book”, but there is so much more to Catholicism. Understand Catholicism doesn’t require knowing the entire Bible front to cover, or even being able to check off all the boxes required to be a “perfect” Catholic. If you want to truly understand Catholicism, you must understand Jesus and his core values: love God, and love others. The theologian Lawrence Cunningham said, “the essential core of the Christian faith is not the doctrines of Jesus or his teachings, but Jesus himself. Christianity is not a religion of the book, but a faith directed to a person. Jesus does not say, ‘Come, follow my teachings’, but ‘Come, follow me’” (Cunningham). Jesus came to serve as an example to mankind of all their divine potential and provide them with a standard on how they should live and act as followers. In fact, the apostle Paul, author of almost half of the New Testament recognized the importance of Jesus’ example as he said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (NIV Bible, 1 Cor 11:1). Despite his prolific writing, Paul understood the importance of not merely obeying the commands of Jesus, but truly knowing, loving, and following Jesus’ example. By studying the countless parables Christ shared and analyzing how he lived his life, we are able to gain a better understanding of what Catholicism truly is. Pope Francis has similar thoughts to Cunningham's assertion, as he addresses people ‘talking the talk,’ but not ‘walking the walk,’ with their Christianity. He said, "If I say I am Catholic and go to mass, but then don't speak with my parents, help my grandparents or the poor, go

and see those who are sick, this does not prove my faith, there's no point." (“Pope says…”). In both statements, we are reminded that simple knowledge about Catholicism does not make you holy, but rather you should live your life according to God. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7, he reiterates the exact point. Jesus repeatedly says, “you have heard that is was said,” (5:21, 5:27, 5:31, 5:33, 5:38, 5:43), “but I tell you” (NIV Bible, Matt 5-7). Six times he states an Old Testament law, but then expands upon it making in a heart issue. Jesus didn’t come to Earth as an example of how to perfectly obey the law, but rather to show mankind how to live and act as his followers. Jesus lived out the teaching from Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings” (NIV Bible, Hosea 6:6). Mercy and love for God motivated his ministry rather than rotely following a list of rules. Pope Francis has also claimed that you don’t need to be a bishop, priest, or even religious to be holy (“Gaudete Et Exsultate”). He explained, “We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves” (“Gaudete Et Exsultate”). This passage tells us that being ‘holy’ is not simply obeying the teachings of Catholicism, but also the motive behind this obedience living your life by giving love and compassion to those around you, like Jesus did. In Leviticus 11:44 Jesus says, “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” (NIV Bible, Lev 11:44). The most important line is short yet monumentally powerful, “be holy, because I am holy.” Jesus is not saying be holy because it's the law or be holy because that's what I’ve said in my teachings. He created a precedent during his time on Earth and called believers to love others, give to the poor, and live their lives in such a holy way that their actions are a direct reflection of the power of the gospel. To understand what Catholicism is, we must look at who Jesus is, not necessarily what was written about him in the Bible. In “ Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith,” author Robert Barron says, “The great creeds, for example, never mention the words of Jesus, but they are desperately interested in articulating his identity with exactness” (Barron, 36). By looking at

the messianic signs and wonders Jesus performed, we can fully understand his identity. In Matthew 11, John the Baptist sends a message to Jesus questioning if he is the Messiah, or if humanity should be expecting someone else. Jesus indirectly responded to John, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (NIV Bible, Matt 11:5-6). Jesus preached the good news to the poor, sick, and social outcasts of the time to show God’s plan for restoration through the Messiah. He rejected cultural norms by embracing everyone society had pushed to the side. His heart for these people provided believers with excellent examples on how to actively follow him and not just read what he said and did. A predominant theme in the Bible is God using bad for good. It’s easy to help those who haven’t wronged you, but what does Jesus say about those who have? These are tricky situations, but through Jesus’s example, we must take a gracious approach. Jesus tells his followers, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (NIV Bible, Luke 6:27-28). This ethical command was led by Jesus, then passed down through generations of Christians. The Bible is filled with Jesus fulfilling this command as he showed love to his enemies. For example, Christ served his enemies, whether that be by feeding them, teaching them, or showing compassion on those who would later kill him. Another example of his love for his enemies came with his dying breath. As he was nailed to a cross by his enemies, Christ prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This is not the only prayer he said for his enemies, but one of the most memorable examples of his love for them. To say these words, in his dying breath, showed Christ’s compassion and love towards a world that hated and criticized him. Finally, the last way Christ showed his love for his enemies was by giving up his life and taking the painful death on a cross that mankind’s sins deserve. John 3:16-17 puts into perspective the importance of this sacrifice as it declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that

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whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (NIV Bible, John 3:16-17). Christ died for the ungodly and sinners of the world so that they could reside with God eternally. We are called to follow in Christ’s footsteps. Paul stated, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (NIV Bible, Gal 2:20). As Catholics choose to die to self and live following Christ’s example, their lives will imitate Jesus and his character, better allowing them to be holy, gracious believers who show their love to others. As children, we hear the Golden Rule, “treat others the way you want to be treated.” This rule was derived from the Bible during Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. He said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (NIV Bible, Matt 7:12). Using Christ’s message here and some of the social teachings of the Catholic Church like calling to family, community, and participation, as well as solidarity and caring for God’s Creation, we are provided with the steppingstones to understand Catholicism. As previously mentioned, Christ shattered the cultural precedents of the time by feeding, teaching, and loving everyone regardless of status, gender, sickness, or ethnicity. Even in his miracles, Christ still comes across as a caring and humble man. To follow Christ is to search for opportunities to serve, strive to show humility and limit pride. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”” (NIV Bible, Matt 4:19). In other words, follow him and share your faith wherever life takes you and with whoever you meet. When he called on his believers to follow him, he wanted them to leave their past life behind and to find a new life and feel the ultimate joy of having a relationship with him. Catholicism is so much more than a list of dos and don’ts. It’s a relationship with Christ which requires its followers to live and act like him. Pope Francis was right to say Catholicism requires both ‘talking the talk,’ and ‘walking the walk’. By following Jesus, Christians lean how to live and act as vessels of the “Good News” from the Gospel. Pope Francis’ ideas on holiness are also

important to understanding Catholicism. Christ wants his followers to go out and help the poor, sick, and social outcasts in your communities, just as he did. He also wants his followers to show compassion and grace towards their enemies. In doing this, their lives imitate Jesus and his character and allow others to feel his love. Christ wants us to act towards others how we want to be treated. Overall, there is a great importance of knowing Jesus, and knowing what he expects of you. He expects you to not only love your family, but your neighbors, your enemies, and all his creation. In following Jesus this way, one can truly understand Catholicism.

Works Cited Barron, Robert. Catholicism: a Journey to the Heart of the Faith . Image Books, 2014. “Becoming A Catholic: LA Catholics.” LA Catholics | Archdiocese of Los Angeles , lacatholics.org/how-to-become-a-catholic/#:~:text=A person is said to,through a process of preparation. “Gaudete Et Exsultate: Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today's World (19 March 2018): Francis.” Gaudete Et Exsultate: Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today's World (19 March 2018) | Francis , 19 Mar. 2018, www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa- francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html. The Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2011, https://www.biblegateway.com/. “Pope Says There's 'No Point' Going to Church If You Don't Really Believe in It.” The Independent , Independent Digital News and Media, 16 Jan. 2017, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-catholic-church-no-point-if-you- dont-believe-in-it-help-the-poor-christian-parrots-a7529631.html.

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