To whom shall we go?

Last updated on: April 7, 2010 at 12:34 pm by Sarah Babbs

To whom shall we go? 2010-04-07T12:34:20-04:00 Sarah Babbs

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I know it’s not news anymore, but there is another scandal in our Church. I’m not writing this post to defend the Church. I’d like to share a little, then what I have read that has helped me begin to understand what’s happened.

In 2002, when the scandals broke here in the US, I was an arrogant, self-absorbed 18 year old (as most 18 year olds are), so I didn’t get it. I didn’t even stop my inner dialogue of angst long enough to grasp the problem. I didn’t care about God, didn’t care about the Church enough for this scandal to matter to me.

Eight years later, I am a woman now, and deeply love this Church which is my home. So naturally, this is heartbreaking. Only heartbreaking for me by association, because I willingly am part of this Church. I have not been abused or had family abused by a priest (or anyone else). How much more so for those whose lives have been shattered by learning that their son or daughter was abused by someone they trusted. How much more so for a mother or father who learns in old age just what their son really was, despite wearing the collar. How much more so for the God who walked among us and started this Church. How much more so for the immaculate heart of his mother, pierced with a sword again and again. My heartbreak is small in comparison.

Yet I have struggled to put words to it, to explain how I feel about this travesty and tragedy. Others have said, much more eloquently than I, why they stand by the Church. All I have to add is this:

I am Catholic because I believe with every fiber of my being that Jesus knew what he was doing when he looked at Peter and said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

I believe that Jesus knew that just a few minutes later he’d be saying, “Satan get behind me” because Peter wouldn’t get it. Peter would fail to grasp the truth of how salvation must be accomplished. Yet Jesus built the Church on him. He built the Church on a man who he knew would desert him in his hour of despair, and would even deny knowing Him.

Jesus trusted his earthly Church to a very weak human with as much free will as anyone else. Peter did not get it until he “got” the holy Spirit. Then the first servant of the servants of God understood what it was all for, and he laid down his life for the Church. The holy Spirit entered the Church that day, and has not departed from it.

I remain a Catholic for this: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

Jesus Christ is present, body, blood, soul and divinity on the altar during Mass. That is not to be found anywhere else.

Articles on the scandal that are helpful:

Safe Miracles – Jen@Conversion Diary

Why I Remain A Catholic – Elizabeth@TheAnchoress

Thank You Sir, May I Have Another? – Mark Shea@Inside Catholic

Catholic

Previous Post

March 31, 2010

Worship: Easter Style

Next Post

April 12, 2010 I’m Just A Girl, What’s My Destiny?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 7 QT Beauty and Style Blogging Books Catholic Culture Family Funny Making House Poetry Social Justice The Children Uncategorized Various Women

Select a Month December 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 December 2017 November 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz