Magisterium Catholic

It IS confusing.

There ARE many descriptives used.

Liberal Catholics

Orthodox Catholics

Cafeteria Catholics

American Catholics

Roman Catholic

Latin Mass Catholics

Catholic-in-name-only

Catholic, but...

With so many versions out there, for those who say, "I am Catholic, just Catholic,"  there's still the question, what does that mean....to you?!




There IS a Magisterium.

There is a teaching body that directs me how not to be a hypocrite when I call myself Catholic. It guides me to what the CATHOLIC Church teaches on Abortion, on Contraception, on sexuality and reproductive issues. It guides me to WHO the Real Presence IS in the Eucharist and how often I should attend Mass and Confession to worthily receive Him. Because when I say, "Amen," it means I agree with what the Church teaches. So...does it? Do my words mean what I say?

I made certain promises at the altar, during the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony...in front of God and all my friends and family. Being faithful till death do us part and welcoming children, raising them in the Catholic faith.  I intend to keep those promises, my word. Ashamedly, I made those promises not knowing as much as I should have. But, by the grace of God, I arrived at a day when I realized my responsibility. It was (and continues to be) my responsibility to take the time to learn and accept my Church's teaching in order to call myself Catholic and keep the promise to raise my children in the Catholic faith. Having fooled myself for years, I no longer felt comfortable being a hypocrite when I had children looking up to me. So, I read. I googled. For 2000+ years those MUCH wiser than myself had come to this place of faith in the Church Christ began and the gates of hell not prevailing against it...as HE promised. Like me, I imagine they too are/were so grateful to arrive at that realization and so incredulous as to why us and not others? The mystery of faith...

Adhering to the Magisterial teaching of the Catholic Church is hard. That's why so many subtract what they think is too hard and protest into another faith. [John 6:66 even the verse numbers tell of the devil's division] They may think they are Catholic but they now belong to the church of Me-Myself-and-I  where by my desires I decide.... I .... I ..... I.

The Catholic Church requires sacrifice, obedience and humility to The God other than the one we make of ourselves and that's hard for many...for me, too. We'd all rather it be easy.  But The Way, The Truth and The Life didn't show us easy. He showed us sacrifice, dying to self and carried a cross, asking us to follow Him.

http://www.catholicscomehome.org/answers-teachings.php

http://www.catholic.com/

Videos

It's my word.  When I call myself Catholic, I mean Magisterium Catholic.  And I know that means I have the responsibility to educate myself to know and live what the Catholic Church teaches. Because it must also go beyond my words and into my actions...May God help me.

9 comments:

Gardenia said...

I love your post Allison! yes, it IS hard, and thank goodness we have heaven for our children and ourselves to work for. thanks for sharing. and thank you for that reference to John 6:56-66.

Unknown said...

I like it, Magisterium Catholic.
It's what and who I aspire to be.

Unknown said...

I like it, Magisterium Catholic.
It's what and who I aspire to be.

Nancy Shuman said...

This is wonderful! Magisterium Catholic - that's is IT. Thanks for a terrific post.

BlessedMom said...

Love, love, love this post!!!

- Devon from MODG yahoo group

Laura O in AK said...

A great big Amen coming your way from Alaska! I don't profess to know it all, but firmly believe that once you are informed of a church teaching that you can not deny it or bury your head in the sand and try to live on as if you'd never heard the truth.

Maja said...

"That's why so many subtract what they think is too hard and protest into another faith. [John 6:66] They may think they are Catholic but they now belong to the church of Me-Myself-and-I where by my desires I decide....I....I.....I."

No, thank you very much. I'm a Lutheran.Please don't make it sound like Christians who don't do it your way, are worse than you. Granted, I do not believe myself to be a catholic, but your way of writing makes it sound like if you're not a catholic, you are serving yourself and not the Lord.
I really hope I'm misunderstanding you.

Allison said...

Blessings Maja,

I am writing about Catholics and my responsibility to my faith, what it teaches...

It sounds like you have a strong faith and commitment to being Lutheran. I have a strong commitment to being a Catholic. Often, I fail to live up to it. But the Catholic faith is something anyone can learn about. The links I posted are just a few and will help with any questions you, I are others may have.

Hope you have a blessed Lord's day.

Maja said...

Allison: Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment. I seem to have misunderstood the nuances of what you were saying. May God bless you, too!

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