Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty First Sunday of the Year, A – August 27, 2017

Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Responsorial Psalm Ps 137:1-3,6,8; 

Rom 11:33-36 & Gospel Matthew 16:18.

Theme: The Church’s Apostolic Foundation & Divine Endorsement! 

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today we are exposed to the apostolic foundations of the Church and her divine endorsement. Perhaps many Catholics do not know who they are, what they represent or where they come from in terms of committed-membership to the Church. Our Sunday liturgy clears our doubts concerning the divine beginnings of the Church and the abiding presence of Christ in the Church he established.  For the records, Christ founded the Church on Pentecost Sunday in 33 AD. By giving the keys of the kingdom to St. Peter as we heard in the gospel (Matthew 16:18), Jesus reassures us of his divine presence in the Church.

The message of the gospel is amplified in the first reading (Isaiah 22:19-23) where the Lord uproots Shebna, the master of the palace and appoints Eliakim son of Hilkiah giving him authority to be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the house of Judah. To authenticate this appointment, the Lord gave Eliakim the key of the House of David while stressing that should he open, no one should close; should he close, no one should open. The prophesy that “he will become a throne of glory for his father’s house” is fulfilled in Jesus who comes from the Davidic dynasty. What is more, while God places the key on the shoulder of Eliakim, Jesus it is who gives the keys of the kingdom to Peter. This is to further entrench the Church as enjoying divine authority.

With this in mind, we shall reflect on the readings in the light of the theme: “The Church’s Apostolic Foundation and Divine Endorsement.” To achieve this, we shall take a look at the four marks of the Catholic Church.

The Four Marks of the Church

The penny catechism teaches that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. We shall briefly look at the theological implication of this theological submission:                             

1. The Church is One: The Church is one because its founder is one. This oneness is expressed in liturgical form through common prayers and an expression of the unity of faith. The scriptures attests to this oneness: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).                                      

2. The Church is Holy: The Church is holy because the Lord who founded it is holy. This is why the bible says: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15). He also left the Church with seven sacraments (baptism, Holy Eucharist, confirmation, confession, anointing of the sick, matrimony and Holy Orders) as means of attaining holiness.                       

3. The Church is Catholic: The Church is Catholic because it spreads throughout the world. Catholic means universal - it means that the Church does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, nationality or gender. Her mission is both domestic and universal in character hence mission ad intra and mission ad extra. That the Church is Catholic means she is a mother that accommodates all her children throughout the world irrespective of race, gender or social standing.

4. The Church is Apostolic: The Church is founded on the apostles (Cf. Matthew 18:18; 16:18). The apostolicity of the Church spans through 2000 years - from St. Peter to the current Pope Francis through the bishops who are the direct successors of the apostles, only the Catholic Church has maintained an unbroken apostolic succession. This is why the Church enjoys divine credibility based on the divine mandate given to her by Christ to forge ahead as an institution geared towards the salvation of souls. The salvation of souls is the supreme law – salus animarum suprema lex.                

The theological implication of the four marks of the Church means that Catholics all over the world can access their faith based on these theological truths.