Copyright © 2006 By Doug Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
Catechism Of The Catholic Church Reprinted With Permission.
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1Peter 2:6 - 10 Wherefore it is said in the
scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner
stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe
in him shall not be confounded.
To you therefore that believe, he is honor: but to
them that believe not, the stone which the
builders rejected, the same is made the head of
the corner: And a stone of stumbling and a rock
of scandal, to them who stumble at the word,
neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.
But you are a chosen generation, a kingly
priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people:
that you may declare his virtues, who hath called
you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
Who in times past were not a people: but are now
the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy:
but now have obtained mercy.
The purpose of the new "Nation of
Nations" (the Church) is clear: to yield
the Fruits of the Holy Spirit to as many
as would be baptized. Read the
scripture passage once again:
Matthew 21:43 Therefore I say to you that the
kingdom of God shall be taken from you and
shall be given to a nation yielding the fruits
thereof.
Jesus, in His infinite love, mercy, and
creativity established His Church as the ordinary means for
people from every generation to be released from the power of
sin, and initiated into the Kingdom of God.
Here's why …
Left to our own devices, we would probably allow Satan (once again) to
snooker us out of all our newly won graces in twenty-four hours or less.
Then, we would be right back where we (and Adam) started!
The Church is Holy because God maintains ownership of it and keeps it that way.
We may participate, but we don't own or control it. In fact, through redemption,
God owns us! That's why St. Peter calls us "a purchased people". We continue to
be born lacking grace, subject to baptism, and God bestows freely on whomsoever
He wills, through His Church. This system keeps the Church eternally out of
Satan's grasp, yet always available to us sinners. That's Good!
Jesus, the Cornerstone
Of the Church, With A
Symbol of the Holy Spirit
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