Why be Catholic and not just Christian?
Catechism Meditation:
The Church is catholic: she proclaims the fullness of the faith. She bears in herself and administers the totality of the means of salvation. She is sent out to all peoples. She speaks to all men. She encompasses all times. She is “missionary of her very nature”. ―No. 868
REFLECTION: In his blog, “Why Be Catholic And Not “Just Christian”? The Case For Christ’s Living Authority”, Emilio Garza writes: In a world of sincere but conflicting interpretations, truth and unity are not luxuries. Christ didn’t found thousands of competing pulpits; He founded one Church that could preach, sanctify, and govern with His authority for every generation.
To “just be Christian” is good. To be Catholic is to belong to the Church Christ actually founded—the one that can still say, with the apostles, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.”
The Catholic Church is also the visible “seed and beginning of the Kingdom”—already present in her sacramental and missionary life, moving toward its fulfillment at Christ’s return. In her, you receive not pieces of the Gospel, but its fullness.
PRAYER. Dear Lord, please bring Your light and truth to the heart and mind of all people so they will experience a true conversion and come to the fullness of Your salvation.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“As a drop of blood can live in the body, but the drop of blood cannot live apart from the body, so neither can any of us live the fullness of the Christ Life except in His Mystical Body, the Church.” ― Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen