In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 16, we see the famous exchange between Peter and Jesus. It is one that Catholics especially should be familiar with, since it helps us to understand the office of the papacy, and Peter’s role as leader of the Church.
Jesus says, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Other translations render “netherworld” as “Hades” or “hell.” (There is a subtle difference between the two, but you get the picture.)
I think most people recognize that the Church is under attack. While much of the negative publicity of late has been because of the sins of some of Her members, Satan never misses an opportunity to undermine Holy Mother Church. Sometimes it can feel as though Satan is winning. While he may prevail in a skirmish or two, in the end the battle belongs to the Lord. We must always remember and hang our hats on that.
Father, help us to always remember that the gates of hell will never prevail against your church. When all else crumbles, your church will remain. May we always remain with Her. Amen.
I’m a Catholic and will continue to be a catholic no matter what. Church leaders are also human, and I totally understand what’s going on. I can only pray for healing to all the victims and concerned perpetrators. Last night in church we had a healing mass, JESUS HEALS by Rev Dr. Roy Varghese CMI in St. Anne Church in Ruskin, Fl. In his homily, he emphasized living by faith not by sight.. he said if we focus our eyes on the church and its leaders, we will only see scandals, if we focus our eyes on ourselves we can only see a lot of problems. However, if we focus our eyes to JESUS, nothing is impossible for He is God Almighty. I think, we need to reconsider our perspective towards the church. All churches for that matter, in reality is not perfect at all.
I agree with Kelly’s comment. It is hard to stay in the catholic faith because of the wrong that have been done by our leaders by the covering up . aajr
I was listening yesterday. Love your show Gus. But this is where I get fired up. The sins were not perpetrated by “some of the church’s members” as you stated a few times in the show and now here. The sins, the criminal acts, the gross misdeeds were done by the LEADERS of the church. By the role models, the people who are supposed to be our intermediary to Christ and God. Not just some innocuous members of parishes, but the leaders of the parish. The men (and women) that parishioners TRUSTED. And then the vile acts were covered up to the highest level of the Church. So yes the Church itself is completely broken if our highest leaders, the ones who hold the Church up, are committing these atrocities.
How can you disparage anyone who has no trust in the Church left?? Frankly, the Catholic Church and what’s left if it’s leaders should be down on their knees thanking the few of us who have still remained. Because it’s getting harder and harder to justify staying with the Church when you have no trust in it or its leaders.