Many of us have family members, relatives and friends who belong to non-Catholic faith communities. Religious groups that baptize persons with water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as Christian faith communities. All Christian traditions share fundamental beliefs such as the following: 1) that the one God whom we worship has revealed Himself as a communion of divine Persons, Whom we refer to as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; 2)that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of Man and that by His Life, Death and Resurrection, all persons are offered eternal redemption. 3) that Christ will come again to judge all persons; 4) that the Bible is recognized as the inspired Word of God.
The year, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. From principles set forth in the Lutheran Reformation have sprung thousands of Christian faith communities, perhaps to one of which persons whom we love and know belong. The fragmentation of Christians into many faith communities has wounded the impact that the Christian Faith might have on public life and policies.
Shortly before He died, our Lord prayed earnestly that those who love Him might be one in order that the world might believe in Him. The Lord continues to work to motivate us to pray and to work for that oneness of faith and life for which He prayed by filling those who love Him with a sense of incompleteness as we as we celebrate our Faith in the Sacred Liturgy. On the one hand, we all believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God. This includes our understanding of the Mass. At the same time, how can we feel complete and whole when many non-Catholic Christians, who are every-much persons of good will as we try to be, are discouraged from receiving Communion at Catholic altars?
Let’s look at what we can do, with the Lord’s help, to bring about that day when all who love Him will be able to receive the Eucharist together, which is the goal of Christian unity. 1) Our Faith empowers us to assume the best about other Christians, namely that like ourselves, they love the Lord and want to please Him in all things. 2) Let’s continue to pray for one another, that as individuals and as faith communities, all will continue to be open to follow the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. 3) Let’s continue to work and study hard to know what we believe as Catholics and why we believe as we do. 4) This frees us to be proactive in exploring the beliefs and practices of other Christian faith communities. 5) Let’s be open to the possibility of adopting practices and customs of other faith communities that serve to deepen our devotion to Christ and to others in His Name. For example, why do so many non-Catholic Christians tithe with their income? Do other faith traditions have hospitality practices that serve to endear the Lord’s people to one another? Do other Christians have strategies at their worship celebrations that bring about enthusiastic participation of the worshipers that we might adopt?
Let’s continue to do all that we can to promote that oneness of faith and life for which our Lord earnestly prayed. In His time and in His way, He will bring about a harvest from our efforts which is far greater than what we can now envision or imagine.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Nelson Beaver – Pastor