(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
The Lord commands us to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” But what are we to proclaim? What do we believe in matters of religion? Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Did Jesus really ascend into heaven? Belief accepts something as true based on the witness of others. On whose authority do we accept this testimony as valid? Belief begins with the acceptance of another’s authority.
That authority must be put to the test. A person who intends to purchase an authoritative book at a local bookstore is well-advised to examine the footnotes before making a purchase. Footnotes reveal a good deal of the extent of the author’s research and the sources he relies upon to draw his conclusions. A medical book on treating heart disease that extensively cites voodoo witchcraft in the footnotes may be suspect to the discerning reader.
We live in troubled times when people question the very authority of the Church. Can we rely on the Church to accurately hand on these truths? How does a Christian know what to accept as true?
The Church cherishes sacred Scripture as a means of God’s self-revelation. Yet sacred Scripture itself was born from the early Catholic Church. By the authority of the Church, some writings — such as the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — were declared normative or “canonical.” The Church declared other writings out of bounds (the heretical “Gospel of Thomas,” for example).
But Scripture cannot stand alone. It was the authority of the Church that bound the manuscripts of Scriptures together into one fine volume. Because the Bible was born from the Church, the Church continues to be God’s authorized guardian. So the Catholic Church deals in footnotes as well. When interpreting Scripture, the believing Catholic asks the question, “What has the Church always taught on this matter?” In other words, a thoughtful believing Catholic is willing to check the footnotes of Church teaching.
An extensive exposition of Catholic teaching can be found in the updated Catechism of the Catholic Church. As a contemporary document, and in view of the crisis of authority in the world as well as in the Church, is this Catechism reliable? Who are we to believe? What do the footnotes reveal? In times of crisis and uncertainty, the footnotes to the Catechism of the Catholic Church provide a marvelous consolation. The footnotes do not cite the wisdom of Ann Landers, Dear Abby, dissident theologians or Hallmark greeting cards. The footnotes cite the teachings and wisdom of the Church throughout the ages: the teachings of ecumenical councils; the sayings of saints; the theology of the early Fathers; and above all, sacred Scripture itself. And there is constancy and agreement!
The Catholic Faith is not merely a “religion of the Book.” It is foremost a “religion of the Word,” the living Word of Jesus Christ. Catholics encounter the living Word of God in the celebration of Mass: during the readings and, most especially, during the reception of Holy Communion.
What are we to believe on the authority of the Church? Jesus Christ is risen! He has conquered sin, suffering and death! He has ascended into heaven and now reigns in glory in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. And when we receive Holy Communion at Mass, in union with Christ, we have the certainty of that same Christ pleading our poor case at the right hand of the Father.
If you don’t believe me, believe your own eyes. Check the footnotes.
