Okay, it is time for a reality check. By now, you must be saying I have deliberately overlooked some scandalous times in Catholic Church history. You may even be thinking of a few Catholics that you know and feel quite certain that they are the last Christians you want to emulate.
And guess what? You are right.
On March 12, 2000, Pope John Paul II stunned the world when he asked for forgiveness for the errors and sin of some Catholics throughout history. With great humility, he reached out to people of every faith and culture and said I’m sorry, please forgive us. Is it any wonder that so many paid their respects when he passed away? Indeed, the whole world mourned.
The truth is, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Catholics included.
But the Truth is, Our Lord promised that the Church would survive and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Look at the Saints of the Ages and judge the Church – if you must. But be careful; do not judge Her based on some who call themselves Catholic. The wheat and the weeds will grow up together (Matthew 13:24-30). And so they have.
When I was young, my mom had a record that was very special to her. She came from a very musical family, and one of her cousins had produced and directed the album. Mom’s favorite song was a translation of Isaiah 1:18 - Come let us reason together.
I have been thinking about that a lot these past few months and doing a fair bit of reasoning with the Lord. If the prayer of Our Lord is ever to be actualized and if we are ever to be One as He and the Heavenly Father are One, then we must seriously pause and consider the state of Christendom. Can any other denomination or Christian organization forge a path to complete Christian unity? Imagine the impact the Church could have (even beyond what I’ve described) if we were One – truly and completely One – all Christians everywhere. The world would stand up and take notice – and realize that Jesus is the Son, sent by the Father to redeem a lost world. Think it’s a pipe dream? Well, it was Our Lord’s dream (and prayer) first. So that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me - John 17:20-23.
Come, let us reason together. There is much to forgive on both sides. And yet, there is much to be gained if we come together once again. Perhaps the greatest gain is the fulfillment of what Our Lord prayed for when He was headed to Calvary. Father, make them One as We are One.
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