And Her Precepts

 The Fundamental Characteristics of the Christian Church that serves to reveal the Body of Christ at work in the World.  One - Jesus prayed, Father, may they be one in me as I am in you. The Church literally comes form the word ecclesia, which literally means “the assembly”  Holy - Since the Church is called to be the presence of Jesus Christ in the world, it is called to be holy.  Catholic – has connotations of universal, but the etymology literally means “according to the whole”  Apostolic – The Church believes that her priests and bishops and deacons, through the laying on the hands have received their commission from an unbroken line from the Apostles.

 I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Kephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I give thanks (to God) that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. (I baptized the household of Stephanas also; beyond that I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

 To be holy is to be like God, God was before anything else and God is other, we too are called to be like God, to be different  Leviticus 11:44 - I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground.  Leviticus 11:45 - I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.  Leviticus 19:2 - "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.  Leviticus 20:7 - "'Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.

 The word Catholic appears at least as early as about 100 AD in the letters of St. Ignatius.  The Greek word, καταόλικ. Κατα literally means “according to” while όλικ means “the whole”. As the early Christians were struggling for identity it was important to keep them united to the entire body of teaching that the apostles passed on.  It also means “universal” – many Protestant ecclesial communities will pray the Nicene Creed which uses, “catholic” in its formulation

 The Catholic Church maintains that it is the on One Church established by Christ and has survived through the ages by apostolic succession.  Apostolic Succession means that Christ laid His hands on the Apostles and they in turn laid their hands on others and this has been an unbroken link from the ancient Christian Church  Technically the Church is one, but those other Christians would be understood to be “other Christian communities” John Paul II wrote a document Ut unum sint, calling for deeper understanding among the divisions of Christianity

 As early as Constantine (313 AD) when the Church had been embraced by the empire, certain rules or mandates of the Church were promulgated.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church promulgated in the 90’s lists 5, in one specific place and implies the others that are commonly listed.

 II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH  2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:  2042 The first precept ("You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor")  requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.82  The second precept ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year")  ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.83  The third precept ("You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season")  guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.84  2043 The fourth precept ("You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church")  ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.85  The fifth precept ("You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church")  means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.86

 I. To attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and resting from servile works.  II. To observe the days of abstinence and fasting.  III. To confess our sins to a priest, at least once a year.  IV. To receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist at least once a year during Easter Season.  V. To contribute to the support of the Church.  VI. To obey the laws of the Church concerning Matrimony.  VII. To participate in the Church's mission of Evangelization of Souls.(Missionary Spirit of the Church)

 The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the precept by it teaching on the grave obligations the members of the Church have to attend mass.  2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

 To prepare for the reception of the Holy Eucharist, it is very appropriate to go to confession, but it is only necessary if you are aware of a grave sin.  To be culpable, or morally responsible for a grave sin, you must realize the following The sin is grave matter (the sin is big) Full knowledge and Reasonable reflection (you know it is big and reflect on its gravity) Full consent of the will (you do it anyway or intend to)

 To receive the Sacrament, one is required to be in the state of grace, this means you are not aware of any grave sin that has not been confessed.  This period is understood to be from Ash Wednesday to the feast of Pentecost. This is effectively a three month period

 The days currently are Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Fridays during Lent and every Friday throughout the year.  For Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent Catholics over 14 years of age are obliged to abstain from red meat. (fish is not considered red meat)  For Catholics between 18 and 59 they are obliged to fast if they have no health concerns.  The United States bishops stated that Catholics can choose what they would like to do on other Fridays of the year that do not fall during Lent, but all Catholics are to do something on Fridays reminding them of the sacrifice Jesus made for them on Friday.

 We are called to be good stewards, the Old Testament speaks of tithing, 10% would go to the service of God.  Stewardship challenges us to share are time, talent and treasure and make it available for the service of the Church.  If all would share and hours wage weekly with the parish that would go a lone way in helping the parish meet its obligations.  A good stewards makes sure that all that they spend is directed towards good things.

 This is not found in the same section of the Catechism, but clearly the Church understands that Catholics are obliged to enter freely and without reservation in the marital bond with a person who is free to do so.  A Catholic would not enter into a relationship without being free to do so and have the proper permission or dispensation to do so.

 John Paul II carrying on the work of Paul IV called for a new evangelization. This theme has been picked up by pope Francis as well.  The message of the Gospel is so profound and necessary for salvation that we are bound to do what we can to share the good news.