I am the child of my Lord and God, and He HAS ALWAYS AND WILL ALWAYS take care of me. And I know that I truly have nothing to fear!
One very significant point of difference between Catholics and Christians is the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
The Magisterium of the Church is the part of the Church responsible for considering over two thousand years of meditation from the perspectives of the Saints to understand how to interpret Sacred Scripture.
In other words, the Magisterium is responsible for making sure that the Catholic Church continues to listen to the Holy Spirit in all that it teaches, and remains faithful to the Holy Spirit.
Now, it is an easy thing to say, “Well, there it is, printed in black and white.” But the reality is that so many times we simply have more than one way to think about a thing…
And I have been reflecting on that problem today, as I have been considering the story of Christ berating the apostles for their lack of Faith in Him…
“Jesus said to them, ‘Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?’ They said to Him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?’ And they said to Him, ‘Seven.’ And He said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’” (Mk 8:14-21).
You see, Christ had performed so many miracles right in from of the eyes of the apostles. And there – right there in front of their eyes, with God standing in front of them – still they doubted Him. Still they forgot the glory that He did and still they were afraid.
And I have been considering this experience of the apostles with great empathy, because I exactly the same thing in my own life today. You see, God has ALWAYS and without fail provided for me. When times were GOOD He provided the Good and when times were BAD, He sheltered me from the pain – even when I believed at the time that I was completely alone. And STILL – even now and knowing all of this – I still feel (at times) afraid.
And I have been thinking about that today, because it occurs to me that just as the Church does not dare rely on its own power to interpret the Sacred Scripture, neither should I ever dare to rely on my own power to be brave…
For I am the child of my Lord and God, and He HAS ALWAYS AND WILL ALWAYS take care of me. And knowing this – in the depths of my very heart, I know that I truly have nothing to fear!
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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