Tuesday, August 25, 2020 –
That’s right, folks! It is time for another round of super basic Catholic primers! This time we will be covering the Marks of the Church.
This is one of those topics that makes people a little itchy because, well, it confirms that Christ founded ONE Church—the Catholic Church—which of course means that the others that have sprung up since then are not Christ’s Church. Sorry, but while Pastor Jimmy’s First Church of the Holy Rollers may have a killer worship band and the best coffee and donuts in town, it simply is NOT the true Church…it is not Christ’s Church!
How do we know which Church is the true Church? Good news! We know Christ only founded one Church because Christ spoke of a single Church:
“Et ego dico tibi quia tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversum eam.”
“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
Also, we know this because Christ gave us four distinct marks (or signs) as a reference point. We even recite the four marks of the Church every time we recite the Nicene Creed at Mass.
Of course, we will discuss each of these separately over the next few days, but here is the list:
- One
- Holy
- Catholic
- Apostolic
Or, if you prefer the traddy terms:
- Unity (AKA one)
- Sanctity (AKA holy)
- Catholicity (AKA catholic)
- Aposolicity (AKA apostolic)
Lastly, if you prefer it in pictorial form:
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
