The true treasure of the Church

The true treasure of the Church

I had the honor of attending the Eucharistic Congress yesterday here in Atlanta.  It is always a touching experience to be with so many of my Catholic brothers and sister and to learn over again on a deeper level, that truly it is the laity who are the true treasures of the church.  These people who live their faith are deeply rooted in Christ and for me a humbling experience to talk to them and to have many as friends. 

People make the mistake on judging the church on the evils done by our leaders who fail to fulfill their responsibilities, often in grievous and hurtful ways, while ignoring how the church leads many to an ever deeper love relationship with God.  The sexual abuse scandal is just one of many issues that cause deep scandal both within and without the church.  Yet many retain their faith; keep the faith going an in doing so help to heal the body of Christ.  They understand human weakness and yes human evil, yet they look to Christ Jesus, to the Eucharist and in doing so are way showers for those who on perhaps on the edge.  They refuse to give power over themselves, by those who fail, but look to the best in our Catholic faith and lead others to deeper appreciation of our traditions and also to a deep love of the scriptures, which is our true spiritual nourishment. 

All one has to do is to read the book of Acts to see that there have been problems and troubles and failures in the Church from the beginning.  Just read the prophets in the Old Testament, they are harder on their leaders and the failures of the faithful than any outsider will ever be.  Yet the prophets loved God and stayed within their faith tradition.  Christ Jesus is the heart of the church and the Holy Sprit is it’s spouse, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.  I tend to think we are still young and only at the beginning of the Church’s long journey in this world.  There will be times of expansion and of decline; in all of these Jesus is Lord.