Matthew Hollister

If you come across this, drop me a line please.

jonkknox@ufl.edu

Thanks and God bless.

In Jesus and Mary,
Jon

What is the Church?

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It is a sad fact that Christians are divided and do not share a common belief on several key issues. The division in doctrine is one of the great stumbling blocks that non-believers have to deal with when looking at Christianity. Our Lord did not mean it to be this way. The night before He died, Jesus prayed for the Church that they may be one, even as the Father and the Son are one, so that the world may know that the Father sent the Son. Since Christian unity is of the utmost concern to Our Lord, we should do all in our power to resolve those differences. One way to do so is to learn and share what is the Truth, and then pray that those who are in error have the courage and humility to submit to the Truth of Christ. So one of the purposes of this blog is to share what I have found to be the Truth in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the constant belief of Christianity. There are several differences between Catholics and Protestants, but one of the greatest is the difference in ecclesiology, that is the belief of what exactly is the Church.

Now I am a Catholic, and I hold that the Catholic Church is the Church Christ founded and that the fullness of the Truth can be found in the Catholic Church. So the answer to me is obvious, that Protestants should believe as Catholics believe. Protestants, however, would have to accept several doctrines that are foreign to them- teachings on contraception, the Virgin Mary, the Pope, the Sacraments, apostolic succession… and this can be a daunting task. The key to understanding all the things that Catholics believe is to understand what Catholics believe about the Church itself. If one finds the truth of the Catholic Church’s ecclesiology, what the Church is, then all the other objections give way and things begin to make sense. We must believe these teachings because Christ’s Church teaches them.

So what is the Church? Is it just the sum total of all Christians, an ‘invisible church’ whose members are known to God alone? Or is it a visible institution? Well, the Catholic faith teaches that the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ (Ephesians 4; Mystici Corporis Christi). Saint Paul says that we are baptized into the Body of Christ: “For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). The Church is the Body of Christ, not just symbolically, but so real that the Church acts as one organism and one that Jesus identifies Himself with. Again we read from Saint Paul, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27-28). Reminded of Saint Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, we see that Jesus asks Paul “Why do you persecute me?” Paul was persecuting the Church… the Body of Christ!

Since the Church is a body, it must be visible. The New Testament shows that Christ founded a visible Church. It is evident that Our Lord intended a visible Church with authority. Only then can these words of Jesus make sense:

“If thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between him and thee alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. And if he will not hear them, tell the Church. And if he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as a heathen and a publican.” (Matthew 18:15-17)

In the current Protestant model, it is impossible to tell the Church and for believers to hear the Church. Say, for example, that a Baptist and a Methodist get into a disagreement. Who would they go to for their conflict to be resolved? Also, let's think about the Bible. How did we get the list of the books for the New Testament? Obviously, there was no inspired list of books. Who would determine the requirements for a book to be considered canonical? Only a visible, institutional Church could decide what books were part of the New Testament and expect all Christians to believe them? Or consider the ecumenical councils. The First Council of Nicaea in 325 had to deal with Arianism. The Arians were a group of people who believed that the Son was not of the same substance as the Father, that there was a time that Jesus did not exist, therefore Jesus is inferior in some way to God the Father. Could we just use the Bible to defeat their heresy? That is what the Protestants would have us do, and it is a laudable attempt. The problem, however, is that the Arians used the Gospels to justify their position. They were lucky that they happened to agree on the 'canonicity' of the Gospels, but that wasn't a given either.. some people accepted less books and some accepted more than the 27 we have today that could clearly justify their beliefs.

There needed to be a definitive source of authority- the bishops, who had been given that authority by the men who ordained them. These men could trace their authority back to the apostles. When these bishops taught together, they formed the visible component of the teaching Church. The next question, then, is if these bishops had authority then... when did they lose that authority so the Protestant reformers could challenge them and break away?

Just some things to think about!

Saint Augustine's and Notre Dame, Part 2

Father David Ruchinski has posted the following response regarding Father Gillespie's Notre Dame remarks.

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For those who are interested in the pastor’s position regarding President Obama’s visit to Notre Dame, the following is a copy of the letter he sent to the White House last week.

Dear Mr. President:

I write to thank you for accepting the invitation to speak at Notre Dame’s Spring Commencement. I trust that you will share wise words with the graduates, their faculty, family, and friends.

I hope you will also take the opportunity to listen while you are there, to see the vital witness of a Catholic university in action, engaging in dialogue, in the pursuit of truth and living action. The sharp and, at times, embittering reaction of some to your invitation, may not represent all Catholics. But I think there is a unanimity of concern by Catholics and others of good will, at the possibility that your administration might broaden access to abortions, ease legal and legitimate restrictions, and compel cooperation by health workers and professional doctors, physician assistants, and nurses in performing abortions. I hope you will not try to lead our country in such directions. I certainly will not follow, nor will the vast majority of Catholics.

Like is a gift from God, to be valued and protected from conception to natural death. It is in defense of human dignity and worth that we oppose abortion and the death penalty. Life is a seamless garment, not to be ripped asunder or economically apportioned out to high bidders.

Please re-enter the dialogue with people who oppose abortion, and especially at Notre Dame with the Catholic Church, so that renewed witness may re-shape your priorities and policies. Just as the hope for stem-cell research can be realized in moral ways, so the desire to help pregnant women facing difficult decisions can be accomplished without taking baby’s innocent life.

As St. Paul argues in the Letter to the Romans (Rm 13: 1), since all authority comes ultimately from God, may you deserve the respect and honor (Rm 13: 7) we give you as our president: “he whom you serve is the Lord” (Rm 12: 11).

Peace,

Rev. John D. Gillespie
Pastor
Director of the Catholic Student Center

Fr. Gillespie believes strongly in the importance of dialogue as called for by Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Ecclesiam suam. At the heart of a university is respectful dialogue.

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I tried posting the following, but my attempts were met by a blank screen except for the word "discarded". Haha! Not sure what that is about.

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I am glad that Father Gillespie wrote to President Obama, laying out the Church's teaching on the sanctity of life.

I don't think anybody is trying to be 'intolerant' of people, but we must be 'intolerant' of certain ideas if 'tolerance' is to mean that we believe that President's Obama's position on 'choice' is a valid opinion to hold.

What the University of Notre Dame is doing is not dialogue. The president will be given an honorary degree, as well as a platform to speak. Matt brings up a good point in that the bishops of the United States clearly said in Catholics in Political Life:
"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

Some 75 bishops have come out and said that Notre Dame's decision is a serious error and a grave scandal. The point I like to consider is this: would we allow a hypothetical man who supports the right to kill daily 4,000 Jews? Of course not! The idea is completely ludicrous. We need to realize that the unborn baby is just as important as any human life, and that we should not honor those who support this genocide. Respectful dialogue is at the heart of the university, yes.. but the Catholic university MUST remain "Ex corde ecclesiae"- at the heart of the Church.

I'm Not the Only One Complaining

Well, I'm not the only one that "stirs the pot" it seems. I was looking at St. Augustine's blog tonight. The blog is used mostly for suggestions on ways to work through the financial situation.. but other topics come up in the comment box from time to time. Here is a comment from Monday, May 11.

NOTE: This is second hand information, so I can't vouch for the authenticity. The commenter was anonymous, and I don't know anyone who went to the 9 AM Mass this past Sunday. I was 150 miles away from Gainesville... thank God.

"According to the topic of this blog “Your Feedback Matters”, so I would like it to be known that I completely disagree with the Sermon given by Fr. Gillespie at the 9AM mass on May 10, 2009, in reference to Notre Dame inviting President Obama to speak. While I completely respect the position of President of the United States, this does not mean that the person holding this position has the right to violate my personal beliefs. Let me make it clear that it is not because Barack Obama is not Catholic that I oppose his speaking at Notre Dame; it is because Barack Obama is pro-abortion that I oppose his speaking engagement. Fr Gillespie needs to re-think his position as a Catholic priest if he truly believes it is okay for Notre Dame to invite Barack Obama, a known pro-abortionist, to speak at their Commencement ceremony."

Did Father Gillespie really defend the University of Notre Dame's decision to honor President Obama? Even though the bishops said in 2004 that Catholic universities are not to honor pro-abortion politicians? Even though some 75 bishops, including Bishop Galeone, have publicly come out against Notre Dame's decision? Hmm. I want to give Father Gillespie the benefit of the doubt- perhaps the sermon was misunderstood, or perhaps the commenter is a liar. It would be nice to have some confirmation either way.

I Am A Rightwinged Extremist

... according to the United States federal government.


A report from the Department of Homeland Security has labeled pro-lifers as a right-wing extremist group similar to white supremacist groups.

"Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (base don hatred of particular religious, racial, or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration."

Pretty scary, eh? It's not going to take much for it to be illegal to be pro-life, anti-gay marriage, eventually Catholic. Look at China... there the Communist Party controls the election of bishops in the "Patriotic Catholic Church" structure. If you speak out against the Communists, fat chance of you being a part of the party approved church. There's an underground group of Catholics that have to meet secretly.. and many of their bishops are imprisoned and tortured. What will it take for that to come to the United States? Don't doubt that it will happen.

Pray for the exaltation and liberty of Holy Mother Church!

Catholics Come Home

Tonight at the Easter Vigil, thousands of people will become Catholic. Also, many who left the Church before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation will be welcomed back and be strengthened by the Holy Ghost in this sacrament.

I just wanted to share with you a video that I absolutely love. Whether you're someone who has left the Church or if you've never been in full communion with Christ's Church, the Catholic Church is here to welcome you home. Jesus is waiting to welcome you home.

Behold the Wood of the Cross

Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the Salvation of the world.

I hope all of you are having a most excellent Sacred Triduum so far. I have been blessed to be with many of my friends at Ocala for the traditional Mass of Holy Thursday and today's Sacred Liturgy with the chanting of the Passion, the great intercessions, and the veneration of the cross. Tomorrow night is a solemn high Mass for the Easter Vigil. I can't wait...

Today I watched the Passion of the Christ again. I firmly believe that everyone should watch this movie. It does such a good job of showing the suffering that Christ went through. He suffered so much because He loved us. I'm sure that there could have been an easier way for Him to shed His blood for our redemption. But God chose this most painful of deaths.

Now it was our sins that made Him go through with this. Every time we sin, we are just as bad as the Jews who spit in his face, or the Romans who scourged Him so violently. So I think it's a good idea to meditate frequently on the Passion of the Lord. Whenever we're tempted, we should put in our minds the suffering that Jesus endured.


I pray that you all have a good Holy Saturday, and a blessed Easter. It's almost here!

In Jesus and Mary,
Jon

National Geographic: Bikinis Make Men See Women As Objects

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/02/090216-bikinis-women-men-objects.html

Well, there you go. Could have told you that years ago.
Women, please cover up. Men have crazy wild imaginations and don't need any help. One-pieces rock.

Godson!

At 7:41 in the morning on March 26, Theodore Charles Ignatius Jerge was born at 9 pounds, 6 ounces and a week overdue! That night I had a plane ticket to Virginia... at 3:00 in the morning on the 27th I left Gainesville and with baby Teddy not only 24 hours old I had landed in Baltimore. It was a hectic weekend, but I was so blessed and honored to be able to be a part of his baptism. My 'Catholic Mom' asked me back in November if I would be the godfather to the new baby. I happily said yes and had been eagerly looking forward to the baby's birth and baptism.

So what's a godfather? Godparents act as sponsors at the child's baptism. My next post will be on Baptism and the legitimacy of infant Baptism... Since little Teddy couldn't profess the faith he was being baptized into, Katrina (the godmother) and I did so for him. Also, for the rest of my life I am to be an example of living out the Catholic Faith, in my words and actions. While the parents are responsible for the religious education of the child, should they be unable to for whatever reason, the godparents make sure that the child learns the Faith, so he can live up to the baptismal vows that were made on his behalf. I'm praying for Teddy every day, that he will grow up to be a good Catholic who loves his God and his Church.

CSF Retreat, etc

I promised this a while ago... but I got sidetracked (explanation in the next post)

A few weeks ago I went with about 50 other college students to the second annual CSF Retreat. The retreat is a Eucharist-centered weekend full of talks, testimonies, daily Mass, and perpetual adoration. It is an amazing experience... and just what I needed when I needed it most. Retreats serve to take you out of your normal hustle and bustle and draw you closer to God.


My favorite thing about these retreats is the opportunity for adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. As Catholics we believe that when Jesus said "This is my body" He really meant it! Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist- this is the constant teaching of the Church back to the earliest Christians. So to be able to go to the chapel at four in the morning and kneel alone in front of Our Lord... wow.

Many thanks go to Father David Ruchinski, a good and holy priest who said Mass each day and led the various liturgical rites. Thanks also go to Father Gillespie and Father Bower, along with the other priests who came to hear many confessions late into the night.

Before I close this post out, I want to draw some attention to a new blog. My friend Cliff Whitty, a seminarian for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg has created Catholic Eye Candy. This blog features posts of beautiful images from our Church's tradition, tied together with a reflection. Go check it out!

Heretical

I love reading the stats on people who come to my blog.

One frequent visitor from Gainesville recently paid a visit- once they got to the blog they did a search for 'heretical'. Made me chuckle, even though heresy isn't anything to laugh about.

Will be posting soon about the CSF retreat, and also a plug for a friend's new blog.

Pro-Life Observations on the Archangels

This thought on the archangels came to me as I was praying at Bread and Roses, one of our "abortion clinics" in Gainesville. I figured it was pretty interesting, so I prayed some more about it and looked to the different passages in the Bible that talked about these angels. I believe that all the angels, and especially Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael can help us in the fight against abortion.

God created His angels to serve him, give Him worship, be messengers to earth.. but they can also help us and carry our prayers to the Father! In the Bible we know the names of three of the archangels- Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael. All three of these angels are 'famous' for some particular characteristic that they seem to specialize in.

Gabriel is the angel of good news, God's chief messenger to men. It is interesting that the two New Testament references to Gabriel both have him announcing conceptions and births! It was Gabriel who appeared to Zacharias and announced that his wife Elisabeth would have a son, John. Six months later, Gabriel brought the news to Mary that she would conceive and give birth to the Son of God! We should ask Gabriel to look after the women who are considering abortion. We need to pray that God makes known to them that they are carrying a child, a precious life that deserves to be brought into this world.

Raphael is the least well known, since he appears in the book of Tobit. So Protestants probably don't recognize him at all, though the Jews recognize him and all Christians for at least 1500 years recognized him as an angel and Tobit as a real book of the Old Testament. Raphael came to Tobias and healed him of his blindness. Also, in John 5:2-4, we read of the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. An angel of the Lord descended into the pool, stirring it up. The first person to go into the pool after the disturbance was healed. The Church has always considered this particular angel to be Raphael. His very name means "It is God who heals". Women who are looking to have an abortion are in need of healing... physically and spiritually. Those who go through with the procedure definitely need healing and forgiveness. Let us pray to St. Raphael that God heal these women.

I save Michael for last because he is the coolest (aka- he's my confirmation saint). Michael is the prince of the heavenly host! It was he who came to Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15) identifying himself as the commander of the army of the Lord. He contended with the prince of Persia for the liberation of the Jewish people in Daniel, and it was he who expelled Lucifer and his evil angels from heaven. He is the spiritual warrior of spiritual warriors. Abortion is the province of Satan, and be sure that every woman who is faced with an 'unwanted pregnancy' has at least one demon whispering in her ear, "go ahead, have an abortion." Every man who pressures his girlfriend or wife to have an abortion... he has a devil prodding him to do this. We ought to ask Michael the archangel to repel the attacks of the evil one and his minions. Too long has Satan been influencing men and women to choose death, to choose abortion.

We can counsel women, we can raise awareness, we can write politicians... but abortion is a plague of the devil, and a spiritual battle must be fought. The angels, and especially these three archangels, are our mighty and powerful allies in the war against abortion. They are the ones who stand in the throne room of God, who see Him face to face. We can, and must, ask for their protection and intercession!

In Jesus and Mary,
Jonathan