Looking at some of things that have been done in the history of the Church, how can it claim to be guided by God?

Since the Church is made up of human beings who are not perfect, it is to be expected that the Church will be less than perfect.

Jesus knew that those who would represent him were subject to failure. Peter denied him three times, but Jesus, after his resurrection, gave Peter a threefold commission to care for his flock (John 21:15-18). The apostles ran away when Jesus was arrested, and yet he appeared to them after his resurrection and sent them to preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:16-20).

The early Church had all the problems found in churches today. There were liars and hypocrites (Acts 5:1-11). There were complaints of unfairness (Acts 6:1). There were those who used religion for personal gain (Acts 8:9-24). There were disagreements about doctrine (Acts 15). There were conflicts among Church leaders (Acts 15:36-41). There were sermons that failed to make an impact upon the preacher’s audience (Acts 17:22-34) and sermons so long that they put people to sleep (Acts 20:7-12). There were questions about pastors’ salaries, disorder at worship ceremonies, scandal, and neglect of the poor (1Corinthians 5-11). There were all the problems that arise when people try to follow Jesus and fall short of the mark because of human weakness and sin.

Of course, there were also heroes (Acts 7), holiness (Acts 2:42-47), generosity (Acts 4:32-37).

If there were laws and leaders, it was because no society can exist without them (Acts 6:1-7). If there were rituals, it was because these were faithful responses to Christ’s will (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). If there were times when the followers of Jesus failed him, there were also times when they were heroic in professing his gospel (Acts 4:1-22).

Throughout its history, the Church has been the means through which millions of people in every age, and of every class and every race, have come to know Jesus Christ, and his life-giving message. From its ranks the Church has produced individuals universally recognized for their outstanding goodness and holiness – people like St. Francis of Assisi and in our own time, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Archbishop Oscar Romero, and Dorothy Day.

At times in the Church’s history some of her members have been unfaithful to the Spirit of God. But the Spirit always remains faithful to the Church. That’s why the Church continues to be a sign of Christ’s presence in the world and to proclaim his message of love, forgiveness, dignity, joy, hope, and peace.

So, where can we find Christ in the Church today?

As members of Christ’s body, we have the responsibility of making Christ visibly present to those among whom we live and work. For the visible Church is not just the pope and the bishops and a worldwide organization. We, the people of God, are the Church. And if we don’t make Christ present to the people with whom we come into contact, who else will?

Christ is everywhere through his Church which makes him present and active in the world today and looks forward to his coming again.

How can you make Christ present in Torrington this week through your daily life?

Fr. Emmanuel

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