Will Ye Also Go Away?: by J.D. Rucker

It is NOT an essential mark of the Church that it be without sin, or even that its Popes be holy men. There have been many Popes in Church history whose personal lives would give reason to question whether they actually believed in the Catholic Faith at all.

"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God." - St Mark 18:10

However, just as the authority of the Apostles was NOT compromised by the presence of Judas in their midst, the "wounded Body of Christ" that we experience and/or perceive to exist today does not make the Catholic Church anything other than what it actually is; that being the Mystical Body of Christ.

Father William G. Most wrote in his article The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ:

“Speaking of full membership in the Church, Pius XII, in his Encyclical on the Mystical Body, said it is the society of those who have been baptized, and who profess the faith of Christ, and who are governed by their bishops under the visible head, the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. The Church came into being when Christ died on the Cross, but it was formally inaugurated on Pentecost, when He sent the Holy Spirit as He had promised. St. Paul speaks of all Christians as members of Christ, so that with Him, they form one Mystical Body.

St. Paul did NOT use the word Mystical. It was developed more recently to bring out the fact that this union is unique, and there is no parallel to it. It is NOT the same as the union of a physical body, nor that of a business corporation.

The Church, the Mystical Body, exists on this earth, and is called:

• The Church militant, because its members struggle against the world, the flesh and the devil.

• The Church suffering means the souls in Purgatory.

• The Church triumphant is the Church in heaven.

• The unity and cooperation of the members of the Church on earth, in Purgatory, in Heaven is also called the Communion of Saints.

When St. Paul uses the word "Saints" in opening an Epistle, he does NOT mean they are morally perfect.

He has in mind Hebrew “qadosh”, which means set aside for God, or coming under the covenant.

Being such means of course they are called to moral perfection. But of course, not all have reached it in this world

Understanding and Defending the Faith, even during the best of times, can be a daunting task. Yet, since the tragic break from tradition that transpired at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), a non-neglible number of the Catholics have become disillusioned and disenchanted with the Church.

Many of these "Disgruntled Catholics" have become so enraged with the Papacy and the Bishops of the Church that they have stormed off into opposing schismatic camps of resistance and are now actively working against, what they disgustingly refer to as, the heretical conciliar Church.

These “Disgruntled Catholics” have lost their faith and refuse to believe that the Mystical Body of Christ remains sacred, authoritative, and intact. They erroneously choose believe that God has somehow lost control of His Church.

Their obstinate refusal to accept and submit themselves to the Teaching Authority of the Church and “endure to the end” is, for the lack of a better word, heart-wrenching. Have they forgotten that Christ suffered, bled and died on the cross to save their souls; which now, unless they repent, will be regrettably lost forever?

“Jesus wept.” - St John 11:35

One cannot deny that these "Disgruntled Catholics" have expressed many valid criticisms concerning the current state of affairs in the Church. They have depicted well and drawn the analogy of the Mystical Body of Christ being severely wounded and in need of help. But, they have yet to propose, or to introduce, an acceptable solution, a remedy, a cure, for what they vehemently purport ails the Church.

These "Disgruntled Catholics", by their rebellious actions, have foolishly compounded their problem; for they have become guilty of schism; a crime that carries an automatic sentence of "ipso facto" excommunication; and as such places them firmly outside the Church.

It is out of charity that I ask these “Disgruntled Catholics”, these brothers and sisters in Christ, to reconsider the seriousness of their reckless abandonment of the Church and their defiance of the authority of the Papacy. I ask them to humble themselves and to go back to Church and make their grievances known to their parish priests.

The Christian Faithful are required to "carry the crosses they are called on to bear", endure to the end, and fight for the sanctity of the Church from within and not to stand outside and throw stones.

"... he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - St Matthew 24:13

Do not abandon the Church over matters that you do NOT fully understand.

In the Gospel of St John we find an example of this in the “Bread of Life” conflict that took place at the synagogue at Capernaum:

When Jesus concluded his discourse on the "bread of life" He did so speaking of the necessity for of His folowwers (disciples) to "eat of His flesh" and "drink of His blood”:

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." - St John 6:53-56

Those words sent immediate waves of repulsive disbelief, horror and shock through the hearts and minds of those who were gathered before Him.

"Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, this is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?" - St John 6:60-61

 

"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." - St John 6:64-66

Christ’s discourse at Capernaum was a major turning point in His ministry; which resulted in His confronting of the twelve Apostles with the question:

“Will ye also go away?” - St John 6:67

Though St Peter and the Apostles were appalled by Christ’s words they did NOT deny Him and walk away. No, their faith could not be shaken:

“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." - St John 6:68-69

We exist as Catholics today because the Apostles of Christ "endured to the end" ... all except Judas who became "the son of perdition". And like unto Judas … those "Disgruntled Catholics" who abandon the Church ... betray Christ by their obstinate refusal to seek the faith to understand.

"Will ye also go away?” - St John 6:67

 

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- Pax Tecum