The following is borrowed largely from the article
“This is Why We Are Catholic” by Patti Armstrong, The National
Catholic Register. (4/16/2017)
Often, misunderstood. Nonetheless, we are enduring,
resistant to whims, and unafraid to stand alone. History is on our side and so
is Scripture.
We are members of the Church founded by Jesus Christ and yet, we
are not better or more loved than any of God’s children — we simply
embrace all the gifts that God provides.
And thus, we are challenged, for to whom much is given, much is
expected.
Jesus comes to us uniquely in Holy Communion. And we go to him in
Confession where Jesus, through the authority he has conferred to the priest,
absolves us of our sins. “… he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive
the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins
you retain are retained.’” (John 21-23).
It is a misunderstanding to consider us rude to visitors at Mass
during Holy Communion, for the Eucharist is for all who believe and are one
with us. The Eucharist is not ours to give. “For those who eat and drink
without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on
themselves,” (1 Corinthians 11:29). To allow non-believing guests to
take Communion is to be far, far worse than rude.
It is a misunderstanding to think us uptight for reserving
procreation for marriage and warning against contraception. Pope Paul VI’s 1968
encyclical Humanae Vitae reemphasized
that constant teaching which all Christian denominations once followed. Then
too, there is the teaching that marriage, once validly begun, is until death.
Because Jesus said so.
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