Christianity's Family Tree - Chapter 2 - Catholicism

Last week we learned about a part of the Christian tradition that many of us don't know much about - Orthodoxy.  This week we will study about a part of the Christian family which most of us have experienced in some way or another. - Roman Catholicism. This should not come as a surprise as over half of the world's Christian population and 23% of US Christians are Catholic.   An informal survey our Wednesday class of 12 showed that 4 members had been raised Catholic and were now Protestant.  One member was raised Protestant and converted to Catholicism in adulthood.  But if you ask many Protestants what Catholics believe, many of us will not have good answers.

Key Insights:  The word catholic means universal.  Originally it was used as an adjective to describe all Christians.  It was not until 1054 that the one holy catholic and apostolic church divided, becoming the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.  For Roman Catholics, the Bible is the starting point for all faith and practice.  However, the Catholic Church believes that doctrine is continually being revealed to human beings through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  So, in addition to the Bible, Catholic doctrine is based on the teachings of the church and the decisions of councils and bishops as summarized in the Roman Catholic Catechism.

Catholicism reminds us of three important things:
1. Ritual is important in our lives and in our worship.  Rituals bring rhythm and order, focus our attentions, prepare our hearts to worship God, shape our souls and enrich our lives.  Our daily rituals may include morning coffee, homework, or how we approach certain tasks or routines.  Our sacred rituals may include our devotional time, how we celebrate big events, like our marriages, families and the passage of time.  Even if we come from traditions that seem to not embrace ritual, our lives show differently... ritual helps to frame the things that are important to us and give them structure and meaning.  The seven sacraments encompass all the major events of our lives... Eucharist (communon), Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Confession, Ordination and Last Rites... in joy and in sorrow, in celebration and in recommitting lives to Christ, the Church has a rite for that...

2. There is power in reverencing what is sacred.  God is holy and is to be revered.  Catholicism has two powerful examples of showing reference.  First is the place that Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds within the life of the church.  Contrary to what some have been taught, veneration of Mary is not Mary-worship.  But Mary is lifted up as a holy example of what God can accomplish with those who are willing to turn their whole lives over to God's purpose.  Second is the way that Catholics use the Rosary prayer to order their lives and internalize the important stories and prayers in the life of Jesus.  I had the opportunity to take on this discipline during Lent a few years ago.  It was a wonderful way to focus on Jesus' life and to be intentional in my prayer time.  Click here to learn more about the Rosary at the Ecumenical Rosary Prayer site. There are descriptions online, or you can print out a sheet to carry with you.

3. The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is a powerful way to express our acceptance of Christ’s gifts of salvation.  In Catholic theology, this meal is more important than any other act in the worship service.  It is at the table that the worshiper is transported back to be present for Jesus' sacrifice for humankind.
Although most Protestants don’t believe the bread and wine are actually changed into the body and blood of Christ, most do believe that Christ is truly present in the bread and wine and that by receiving them we are, spiritually, receiving Christ himself.

Are there any areas in this discussion where you have learned something new that will help you in your own faith journey? Please post any insights or questions that you might have from this week's study.  

I will post questions by Friday to assist in your reading for next week.

Peace, Deb

Taking It Home:  These questions will take you deeper into some of theologies of the Catholic tradition.  Feel free to study any or all of them to get a better understanding of the biblical underpinnings of this tradition.

• The Eucharist is the central focus of worship in the Catholic Church.  It is believed that the bread and the wine because the body and blood of Christ, so that one is receiving Christ himself in this meal.  The Eucharist mysteriously makes present the sacrifices of Jesus on the cross that we might accept it as our own.  Do your own study of the Lord’s Supper as described in Matthew 26:17-30; John 6:48-58; Acts 2:42 & 46; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 & 11:17-34.  What does God tell you about this holy meal through these passages?
• Catholics have a very high view of Mary.  Read Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 1:26-55, 2:16-19 & 25-35; John 19:25b-27; Acts 1:12-14.  What do you learn about Mary through these passages?  What example does Mary set for you?
• Catholics are known for an emphasis on the importance of works in our salvation.  They do not teach that we are saved by our works, but that works both produce saving faith and are closely intertwined with saving faith.  Read James 2:14-26.  What insights does this passage give you?
• Catholics believe the Bible is our primary authority for faith and practice, but that the Holy Spirit continues to speak through the church and guide us into truth.  Read John 14:15-26.  What was one role of the Holy Spirit?  How did the early church make doctrinal and other decisions?  Now read Acts 15:1-35.  What was the issue here?  How does that translate into our world today?