Pontiff Preaching

Having grown up as a Protestant, I've had little exposure to the Catholic Church. Certainly some of my extended family worship Christ as Catholics, but other than weddings or funerals, I've not had the opportunity to attend any Catholic services. With that in mind, I've watched the coverage of the Pope's visit with great interest.

From my research before, I knew that Catholics trusted Christ as their savior and thus must be accepted as fellow believers and brothers in Christ. I found today's Mass at Yankee Stadium truly inspirational and enlightening. The words he spoke could have been given from any pulpit ,including my own. The Bible readings were from three passages, Acts 6:1-7 , 1 Peter 2:4-9, John 14:1-12.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1-7

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone, and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:4-9

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:1-12

I tried to capture some of the points from the Pope's Homily. Here are just a few:

• We are saved by hope
• Trust in the Lord
• We are brothers and sisters in Christ
• We must come together
• The church has a united, widely diverse flock
• The church has contributed to American society
• The Word of God have has the ability to create unity
• The church unity has no basis but the word of God
• A deeper unity in the church is God’s gift to the church
• Church unity is grounded on the apostles
• Church unity is ground in obedience
• Authority and obedience are hard words for today
• Society rightly values freedom
• True freedom is the found in self-surrender to Christ
• In losing ourselves we find ourselves
• True freedom blossoms when we turn from sin
• Sin clouds perception and weakens resolve
• God’s gives us infinite love and freedom
• Real freedom is God’s gracious gift
• God’s freedom brings a new way of seeing
• We share in the life of God by grace
• We’re called to use our energy to serve God
• U.S. Churches have been social institutions
• Many priest devoted lives to care for souls
• Religious women and men have taught generations to read
• Clergy inspired a lifelong desire to know God
• Catholics bring moral convictions to public status quo
• Prayer means not losing heart
• Prayer means countering false gospels
• Enrich society with the truth of the gospel
• Follow faithfully those who have gone before you
• Hasten the coming kingdom of God in this land
• Christ’s promise fills us with sure hope
• Christ’s building a place for us
• Allow Jesus to enter into your lives
• May God bless you amen
• Faithfully follow Jesus who is the way the truth and the life

I am thankful for the unity Christ provides his church. This unity spans denominations, nationalities, age groups, and ethnicity.

The Cup

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:14-20

Last Sunday was Communion Sunday. On the first Sunday of every month, our church celebrates communion. Communion Sunday always brings a little sadness and thankfulness at the same time. Sad that as I review my actions during the month since the last communion, I remember all of the times that I let Christ down, thankful that because of Christ’s great sacrifice I don’t have to bear the punishment that I deserve. Christ said, “..do this in remembrance of me.” & “This cup is the new covenant…” With thankfulness I do remember what Christ has done for me and the new covenant he has made with me.

Christ’s offer of a new covenant is open to everyone. Christ said this prayer for all of his believers both then and for the believers to come.

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23

You too can be a part of this covenant with Christ. It’s there for the asking.