PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC

Homily: Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

One of the most beautiful aspects I observe here in the United States is how Christians from various denominations and faith traditions are working together to spread the Gospel. This collaboration in evangelization is a true manifestation of the call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). It is beautiful because it aligns with the mission of the Church, which is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people.

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has acknowledged, in the encyclical Nostra Aetate, that other religions—such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism—contain aspects of truth, goodness, and grace. As Augustine rightly stated, “This is the principle on which the whole Church acts, not condemning common sacraments among heretics; for in these they are with us, and they are not against us.”

While we celebrate this shared truth, we must also recognize a growing temptation in our time. Many, EVEN SOME CHRISTIANS AND CATHOLICS, HAVE BEGUN TO BELIEVE THAT ALL RELIGIONS ARE EQUALLY VALID AND THAT ONE FAITH IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER.

I have heard many times from my Buddhist friends and even from some Christian brothers and sisters that all religions are good because they help us become better people and do good things.

THE CHURCH’S TEACHING:

While it is certainly true that many religions contain elements of truth, goodness, and wisdom, the Catholic Church teaches that THE "FULLNESS OF TRUTH" IS FOUND IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST ALONE, AND THROUGH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION REVEALED.”

We need to stand firm. We must resist the temptation to water down our belief in Jesus Christ as the unique and definitive revelation of God. The Church teaches that the fullness of truth entrusted to her is not just a collection of moral teachings or practices—it is the very presence of Christ, the Son of God, who came to redeem the world.

EXPERIENCE; I recall a professor who profoundly impacted my understanding of the Church’s teaching. He often said that THE GREATEST GIFT HE HAS IS HIS CATHOLIC FAITH, and what made him most proud was being Catholic. He believed, as we must that the Catholic Church contains THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH NECESSARY FOR SALVATION, AND HE WOULD NEVER EXCHANGE HIS FAITH FOR ANYTHING ELSE. He said this with deep conviction, for he knew that salvation is found not in any mere religion but in the person of Jesus Christ.

Brothers and sisters, our Catholic faith is a gift—a treasure of knowledge and understanding, as mentioned in the first reading today. We are called to share it with others. But SHARING IT DOES NOT MEAN COMPROMISING THE TRUTH OF WHO CHRIST IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US. OUR MISSION IS TO INVITE OTHERS INTO THE FULLNESS OF THAT TRUTH—NOT TO DIMINISH OR DILUTE IT. We must continue to engage in ecumenical dialogue with love and respect but always rooted in the reality that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.

Let us pray today that we may never lose sight of this truth. May we continue to share the love of Christ with others, and may we have the courage to stand firm in our faith, knowing that the fullness of truth is found in Christ and his Church alone, who is “the way and the truth, and the life.”

Homily Outline: Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Introduction

Observation of Christian unity in the U.S. among various denominations and faith traditions working together to spread the Gospel

Collaboration in evangelization reflects the call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)

The Church's Acknowledgment of Other Religions

Reference to the Second Vatican Council and Nostra Aetate

Recognition that religions like Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism contain aspects of truth, goodness, and grace

Augustine's principle: “This is the principle on which the whole Church acts, not condemning common sacraments among heretics; for in these they are with us, and they are not against us.”

The Growing Temptation in Modern Times

Some Christians and Catholics believe all religions are equally valid and one faith is as good as another

Popular belief that all religions are good because they help people become better individuals and do good deeds

The Church’s Teaching: The Fullness of Truth in Christ Alone

Acknowledgment that many religions have elements of truth, goodness, and wisdom

The Catholic Church teaches that the "fullness of truth" is found in the person of Jesus Christ and his Church alone

The fullness of salvation is revealed through the Catholic Church

Standing Firm in Our Belief in Jesus Christ

The call to resist the temptation to water down belief in Jesus Christ as the unique and definitive revelation of God

The fullness of truth entrusted to the Church is the very presence of Christ, who came to redeem the world

Personal Reflection: The Example of a Professor

Recalling a professor who deeply impacted the understanding of the Church’s teaching

Professor’s conviction that the Catholic faith is the greatest gift and that the Church contains the fullness of truth necessary for salvation

The professor’s deep belief in salvation being found in Jesus Christ, not just any religion

Our Mission to Share the Faith

The Catholic faith is a treasure of knowledge and understanding (referencing the first reading)

We are called to share the faith, but without compromising the truth of who Christ is and what He has done for us

The mission is to invite others into the fullness of the truth, not to diminish or dilute it

Ecumenical dialogue should be rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father

Conclusion

Prayer for the courage to stand firm in faith and share the love of Christ

May we always remember that the fullness of truth is found in Christ alone and his Church, WHO IS “THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.”