Our God is the God of Divine Providence and not of Chance.

"Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to ful­fillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." (Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3).

Sunday of the 27th week in Ordinary Time. What a feast of Sacred Scriptures we enjoy this Sunday.

In the first Reading today, God asks the Prophet Habakkuk to write down the answer to what He plans to do in the future. Every plan, vision of God is for its intended time. Abraham and Sarah were promised a son. When this promise was fulfilled 25 years later, Sarah sang that it had pleased God to fulfill His promise at the time of His own choosing. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist praised God for answering her prayers for a son at His chosen time. In the fullness of time, the Angel Gabriel visited Mary of Nazareth and announced the birth of the Messiah.

Search throughout Sacred Scripture, you will not find anything  happening by haphazard. Our God is a Father of Divine Providence and not a god of Chance. Your future and your destiny does not belong to lottery or gambling. It is not from any chance that your comfort and happiness springs. Every joy, every good thing you enjoy in life comes from God's gracious ordaining.

Thank You O Faithful Father. I have learned that You are a Father who keeps His promises. You asked me to write down my dream so that I do forget it. I nearly forgot it but You reminded me and restored my dream. Thank You Father.

"Within your will, O Lord, all things are established, and there is none that can resist your will. For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth, and all that is held within the circle of heaven; you are the Lord of all." (Cf Esther 4: 17).

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Are you aware of the power of the name of Jesus?

“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” (Luke 10: 17).

Saturday of the 26th week in Ordinary Time. Do you believe in demons? Do you believe in angels? How irrational it is to believe in one and not in the other.

I believe in demons because the Sacred Scriptures reveal and teach it. I believe in demons because holy Mother Church teaches it. I believe in demons because I had contended with demons and lost many battles. But today, thanks to the Name of Jesus, I win more battles than I lose.

“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” The name of Jesus is the Person of Jesus. The name of Jesus is the Power of Jesus. The name of Jesus is the Presence of Jesus. Jesus ordered us to bear witness to the power of His name. His disciples were ecstatic when they discovered the power of the name of Jesus. You too will experience unbelievable joy when you discover the power of this name.

How do you activate this power? When you remember Jesus, He promises to be present. You remember Jesus by calling His sweet name, by looking at His picture, by reading His word, by receiving Him in the Eucharist.  Form the habit of saying this sweet name often. The name of Jesus is a full prayer. By calling on His name often, you strengthen yourself against the snares and wiles of the enemy of mankind who prowl the world looking for easy victories.

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Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 3).

Friday of the 26th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Francis of Assisi and the First Friday in October.

Who is St Francis of Assisi? (1182 - 1226). He became famous for imitating closely the poverty of Jesus Christ in spirit and in deed. Holiness always attracts. Francis soon attracted a group of like-minded young men who bound themselves together to live evangelical poverty, chastity and obedience. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church has used simple men like Francis and the Franciscans to renew the Church which is ever in need of reform. Other pivotal figures raised up by Jesus for the renewal of the Church are:
Benedict, Clare, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, etc.

Are you the next great Saint?

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

October 4, 2019 - First Friday in October.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 10th month of the year 2019, we look at Promise #10.

#10.  "I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts."

Do not think: "I am not excited by this promise.  I am not a priest."  Error! We are all baptized and by virtue of this Baptism are priests, princes and prophets. Of course, Jesus Christ chose a tiny percentage of men and configured them to be ministerial priests to celebrate the Sacraments.  The first mission of the Church is evangelization.  You see where the 10th Promise is relevant for you?  Moreover, the first 3 Spiritual Works of Mercy instruct us:
#1. Instruct the ignorant.
#2. Counsel the doubtful.
#3. Admonish sinners.

Jesus promises to give you power to touch the most hardened of sinners.  They could be family. They could be friends or neighbors.  Will you refuse such a gift?

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

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The kingdom of God is here.

"The kingdom of God is at hand for you." (Luke 10: 9).

Thursday of the 26th week in Ordinary Time. Jesus appointed 72 disciples and sent them out on practice evangelization. He gave them a precise talking point. No beating about the bush. No disputations. No arguments. Just a simple message:
‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’

We have seen that Jesus has magnificent obsession for the Kingdom. The Teacher knows that those who are ready will receive and understand this code. Mind you, Israel has been waiting for the Kingdom to come for centuries. Isaiah has prophesied it. John the Baptist came as a herald to prepare for it. Now Jesus commissioned 72 disciples to announce the imminent breakout of the Kingdom.

What is the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is the Reign of God. There cannot be a Kingdom without a King. ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ This is a code to alert the chosen ones that the King has arrived. Jesus is the King. But this King is different from worldly kings. He was born of the Virgin Mary in a manger. He was an apprentice carpenter and then a self-employed carpenter for all his working life. What do you make of this humble King?

The Church teaches that the Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth.

"The kingdom of heaven was inaugurated on earth by Christ. "This kingdom shone out before men in the word, in the works and in the presence of Christ" (LG 5). The Church is the seed and beginning of this kingdom. Its keys are entrusted to Peter." (CCC 567).

Does the King Jesus reign in every situation in your life?

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Angel of God my Guardian and my Friend...

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." (Matthew 18: 10).

Wednesday of the 26th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Guardian Angels. God blessed me with Christian parents. One of the legacies they bequeathed to me is strong devotion to my Guardian Angel. As an active and adventurous boy, I know how many times my Friend saved me from peril. Today I honor my Guardian Angel with a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

This is what the Church says of Guardian Angels: "From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God." (CCC 336).

"Receive, O Lord, the offerings we bring before you as we venerate your holy Angels, and graciously grant that under their constant protection we may be delivered from present dangers and brought happily to life eternal. Through Christ our Lord." (Offertory Prayer on the Feast of the Guardian Angels).

The Angel of God my Guardian and dear Friend, thank you for your protection. Continue to enlighten and guard me till my last breath. Amen!

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Feast of St Therese, the Little Flower.

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).

Tuesday of the 26th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Therese of Lisieux (1873 - 1897), also called Therese of the Child Jesus and the Little Flower. Therese is Virgin and the youngest of the 35 Doctors of the Church. She died at the age of 24.

Father God loved her Little Flower, the Lily of Carmel and lavished on her immense spiritual favors. I like very much the application of Deuteronomy 32: 10 - 12 to this humble French Carmelite nun:

"The Lord led her and taught her,
and kept her as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle spreading its wings he took her up and bore her on his shoulders. The Lord alone was her guide." (Deuteronomy 32: 10 - 12).

Unlike other Doctors of the Church, Therese left us one book: THE STORY OF A SOUL, a best seller of all time. This is the autobiography of the Saint detailing how God taught her and through her taught the world simple principles of holiness.

"Thus says the Lord:
Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 18: 3).

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Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.

"The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45, Gospel Acclamation).

Monday of the 26th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church (342 - 420). St Jerome is one of the foremost Scripture scholar in the Church. He translated the Bible into Latin and his translation, the Vulgate was used by the Church as the official version for over 1000 years.

St Jerome's most famous saying is:
"Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." Is your knowledge of Sacred Scripture scanty? The Church agrees with Jerome:
"The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." (CCC 133).

Consider our lead Scripture for today:
"The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45). You cannot understand what this means until you have met Jesus in the pages of Sacred Scripture from the stories of Joseph in Genesis, David in the Book of Samuel, Daniel in the Book of Daniel and so forth. The Jesus of Scriptures say:
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24: 44).

What can you discover as precious as the Pearl of Great Price?
"When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight." (Jeremiah 15: 16 NLT).

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The Liturgical readings this Sunday focus on the Lazarus Principle.

"Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall." (Amos 6: 1, 4).

Sunday of the 26th week in Ordinary Time. All four readings in today's Liturgy address social conditions and justice. The poverty, ignorance and disease all around us cry for remedy.

In all the hopelessness in the current condition of the world, we are comforted by the truth of Scripture which reminds us of these perennial truths:

#1 God keeps faith forever.
#2 He gives food to the hungry.
#3 The Lord sets captives free.
#4 The Lord protects strangers.
#5 He sustains the widows and the orphans.

God our Father can do all the above directly by Himself. Why does He need our collaboration? God wants us to share in His work and glory. He wants us to build up credits for ourselves in heaven. The poor that we help here will speak up for us on the last day. Lazarus could not offer one good word in defense of the selfish rich man.

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Grant me the serenity to accept the cross I cannot change.

“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men..... and they were afraid to ask him about this saying." (Luke 9: 44 - 45).

Saturday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time. Who will blame the disciples for not wanting to hear more of the cross, suffering and death. Let's face it: the Cross is an unpleasant subject. Imagine your friend throwing a party to discuss cancer, war and famine. How many will be his guests and how enthusiastic would they be? Friends prefer to come together on a Saturday evening to celebrate wedding, promotion, house warming, baby shower, etc.

Our fear of the Cross is totally irrational, especially in the light of the Resurrection and 2000 years of Christian witness. It is very encouraging to note that the Holy Spirit is teaching us that the disciples of Jesus were terrified of the Cross at first. The important lesson is to know that they overcame the fear of the Cross and came to witness to the power of the Cross. Jesus Christ overcame Satan and death through the Cross. Since He is the Way. The Cross is also our Way.

Whether you are open to the Cross or dread it profoundly, know that no human being can escape the Cross. It is comforting to know that your Cross is tailor-made to fit you alone. As you say the prayer below every morning, your heart and mind will be conditioned to embrace your Cross.

"Grant me O Father the serenity to accept the cross I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can. Grant me the wisdom to know the difference. Amen."

"Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death and he has proclaimed life through the Good News." (Cf 2 Timothy 1: 10).

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Is head knowledge of Jesus enough?

“Who do the crowds say that I am?”  They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9: 18 - 20).

Friday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Vincent de Paul, Priest (1581 - 1660). For many people around the world, St Vincent de Paul needs no introduction. His name and prestige blesses the world-wide charitable organization that ministers spiritually and materially to the needs of the poor, the homeless and the very needy.

Toward the end of His public ministry, Jesus asked His disciples who He is. Through an inspiration from above, Peter got the answer correctly: “The Messiah of God.”
Today, Jesus has billions of followers. How many of Jesus followers know their Leader? Knowing Jesus involves two interconnected areas of knowledge:

#1 Facts about Jesus: Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and buried. He rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven. These facts are in the Creed of the Christian Churches.

#2 The second type of knowledge is spiritual knowledge of Jesus. This knowledge is experiencial. It comes through personal encounter with Jesus in Prayer, the word of God, Eucharist, Reconciliation and Ministry. The Holy Spirit whom we receive in the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation reveals to us who Jesus truly is.

Peter and the other disciples of Jesus could not truly know who Jesus is until they had experienced the shock of the Crucifixion and the Restoration of the Resurrection. With the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they received the gifts and the tools to live their new life and embark on their mission.

Our Journey of Faith may follow this trajectory:
Head knowledge of Jesus >> Spiritual knowledge of Jesus >> The Holy Spirit power.
Where are you on this Journey?

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me and sent me to preach the good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted." (Cf Luke 4: 18).

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Some hear the Good News and are perplexed. Others hear and believe.

"Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed." (Luke 9: 7).

Thursday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the twins, Saints Cosmas and Damian, martyrs (+303). Both were known for their medical skills and offered their services free of charge. Both were martyred under the Emperor Diocletian.

Faith comes from hearing. Hearing and believing the testimony of a credible witness is God's plan for transmission of faith. Those who have desperate needs come to faith much easier than people with no problems. King Herod heard about the miracles of Jesus and was greatly perplexed. He did not believe that something supernatural was happening in his backyard. Why? He felt he had no need that Jesus could relieve. See below people who heard about Jesus and believed:

"The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant." (Luke 7: 3 NIV).

#1. Syrophoenician woman: (Mark 7: 26, Matthew 15: 22).
#2. Zacchaeus: (Luke 19: 1 - 2 10)
#3. Timaeus: (Mark 10: 46 - 52).
#4. Father of the Demoniac: (Matthew 17: 14 - 20, Mark 9: 14 - 29, Luke 9: 37 - 43).
#5. Jairius: (Mark 5: 21 - 43, Matthew 9: 18 - 26, Luke 8: 40 - 56).

Principle: These people had needs. They heard about the miracles of Jesus. They believed. They sought out Jesus. They obtained their miracle. Jesus is still in the business of miracles.

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Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God.

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,  and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal [the sick]." (Luke 9: 1 - 2).

Wednesday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time. The disciples have been with Jesus now for some time. How much have they learned? How ready are they to exercise the powers that come as ministers of the kingdom of God?

Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, cast out demons. He taught the people about the kingdom of God. Teaching about the kingdom of God is the most important ministry of Jesus. Jesus is popularly known as Rabbi and not as healer or exorcist. Teaching about the kingdom of God continues to be the most important ministry of the Church.

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19 - 20).

Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, you feed him for life.
The Church is in dire needs of catechists. Will you respond?

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Discovering the great pearl of hearing the word of God and keeping it.

"Happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it." (Luke 11: 28)

Tuesday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time. If you know with absolute certitude that hearing the word of God and keeping it will bring you the happiness and peace you yearn for, what will you do?

I will invest my last penny to find out how to do this. Jesus told a parable of a man who searched for a pearl of great value. He found it but discovered that to possess it, he must sell all that he has. He weighed the benefits and the cost and decided to go for the Great Pearl.

The word of God is the Pearl of Great Price. Since the time of Jesus, men and women have recognized the matchless value of the word of God and gave all they had to possess this treasure. They were not disappointed. This is why the Church points to this cloud of witnesses as its treasure and evidence that Christianity works. The enemies of Christianity will be hard pressed to find a reason why so many of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth have given up everything even life to follow Him.

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8: 21).

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Five Signs of dying Faith.

"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 18).

Monday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Pio of Pieltrecina, popularly known as Padre Pio (1887 - 1968). A Capuchin Friar who lived in the same monastery for 50 years. He is famous as a spiritual director, confessor and intercessor. By an act of Divine Providence, I was blessed with his relic in 2015.

Padre Pio entered the Capuchin Monastery at the age of 15. A mere boy, he had little in the way of this world's goods or in spiritual riches. He soon showed immense appetite for genuine riches or spiritual treasures. And in accordance with the spiritual law laid down by Jesus, Padre Pio grew into a giant.
"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 18).

In our Baptism, we receive the light of Christ and a variety of supernatural graces. If we show ourselves good managers of this treasure, they grow like a mustard seed. If we neglect these gifts, they shrivel until one day, they die. Look! People do not suddenly stop believing or stop coming to Church. Their faith has been dying slowly long before that mortuary day. What are the signs of dying faith?

#1 Doubts of the truths of faith.
#2 Critical attitude of things of God.
#3 Severe and critical attitude of the Church.
#4 Hostility against sacred Ministers.
#5 Witholding contributions to the Church.

These are just a few. When you notice these signs in family members or friends, you are obligated under the Spiritual Works of Mercy to:
#1 Instruct the ignorant.
#2 Counsel the doubtful.

Do not forget the universal remedy of prayer. St Monica prayed for St Augustine for many years. See what St Augustine turned out to be.

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Do you worry about money?

"You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16: 13).

Sunday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time. How do you know if you are trying to serve God and mammon?

#1 Do you worry about money?
#2 Do you do non essential work on Sunday?
#3 Do you pay your debt in time?
#4 Do you give God time every day for prayer?
#5 Do you gamble? Play the lottery?
#6 Do you begrudge the Church your contributions?
#7 Do you worry about the stock market?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6: 21).
"They multiply their sorrows who court other gods." (Psalm 16: 4).

Remember:
"We brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it." (1 Timothy 6: 7).

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Follow Me. I will make you righteous and fisher of men.

"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him." (Matthew 9: 9).

Saturday of the 24th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. With regard to the call of Matthew, Jesus said:
"I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 13)

Other saints Jesus called who were not righteous:
Augustine, Francis, Dominic, Ignatius, Teresa, etc.
"Their message goes out through all the earth." (Cf Psalm 19).

"I have opened a door for you that no one can close." (Revelation 3: 8).

Lord Jesus, lead us , guide us and use us. Amen.

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How rich do you want to be?

"Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6: 9).

Friday of the 24th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr and the Korean martyrs. 103 martyrs gave their lives to Christ between 1839 and 1867.

Our Scripture for today is wringing indictment of love of money.  When I was in college, it was vogue and smart to want to be rich. Still the same today. "Make all the money you can and then retire early." Even without knowing what I needed all the money for, I fell for the madness. Also in fashion at the time were self-help books like: THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON and THINK AND GROW RICH.
I am glad to say that God in His mercy rescued me from such evil thoughts.

Sacred Scripture has a lot to say about money both as filthy lucre and genuine riches. Let us take a few sampling from the first Reading from 1Timothy 6:

"For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it."

"If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that."

"For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains."

These are plain truths for anyone to see.

The Korean Martyrs we celebrate today attained to everlasting life because they rejected the culture of money, money, money.

How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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God loves sinners who confess their sins.

"Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”  (Luke 7: 47).

Thursday of the 24th week in Ordinary Time. How often do you go to Confession? The more often, the closer you are to God. The closer you are to God, the more effective your life, your ministry, work.

Those who love much because their many sins have been forgiven them:
#1 Peter the Chief Apostle.
#2 Paul the Greatest Apostle.
#3 Mary Magdalene the Apostle to the Apostles.

God loves sinners who confess their sins. Do you need one more example:
#4 David, the Greatest King of Israel.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the pathway to deep peace, joy and holiness. Go for it. It is free!

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The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of truth.

"The church of the living God, [is] the pillar and foundation of truth." (1 Timothy 3: 15).

Wednesday of the 24th week in Ordinary Time. Our Scripture for today makes a huge claim for the body we call the Church: It is the Pillar and Foundation of truth. The Church in fact claims authority to teach the truth. Only one Church claims this authority. Below is how the Church stakes its claim:

"The Church, the "pillar and bulwark of the truth," "has received this solemn command of Christ from the apostles to announce the saving truth." "To the Church belongs the right always and everywhere to announce moral principles, including those pertaining to the social order, and to make judgments on any human affairs to the extent that they are required by the fundamental rights of the human person or the salvation of souls." (CCC 2032).

Why would God give such sweeping authority to the Church made up of sinful men like the Apostle Peter or Pope Francis? To understand the mind of Christ, let us see the authority that God gave to sin-prone human beings at the first creation:

"God blessed them [humans] and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth." (Genesis 1: 28).

In the first creation, God gave humans dominion over the earth. Men went ahead and built the Tower of Babel, went to the moon and experimented with eugenics. Today, man's stewardship of the earth is highly compromised.

The Church is the Baby of the second creation. Here is the charge from Jesus:
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18 - 20).
The Church therefore has the authority to teach all nations what Jesus Christ taught the Apostles.

Could the Church have lasted for decades without this authority?
"Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed." (1 Timothy 3: 14).
"How great are the works of the Lord." (Responsorial Psalm 111 Refrain).

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