Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16:18

The role of the church-God’s providential leaven to change the world, though it is not of it, might appear to be impossible. Everything about the world seems to tell us it is impossible to change it. There is too much opposition to the gospel and the odds seem to be against us. But, the same divine architect who created the world also gave birth to the church. And, He gave us the principles that govern the church’s survival and effectiveness. The church is an extension of Christ; and the members of the church must be united in love the way Jesus and the Father are one (John 17:1-11). The world is part of God’s creation, but it must be renewed and cleansed of sin. That is the church’s mission.

At times, it seems that the problems of the world spell doom for the church. The needs of people are staggering in third world countries; the crisis in the economy threatens to unravel years of social ministry in the church; the shortage of priests; the failure of leadership; and the ravages of sin continue to erode the best efforts of Christians to oppose evil.

But, the son of God has issued an iron-clad guarantee: “The gates of Hell will not prevail against” His church. Like a boat buffeted by the storms of life, the church will survive the worst that the world can throw against it; it will survive because Jesus will raise up faithful followers to do His will.

The job of leading the church is daunting to be sure. But almighty God has insured the proper building and maintenance of His Body, the church. He has given all of us the necessary tools for the job: His word and His sacraments; and He has guaranteed the preservation of the church’s leadership down through the centuries.

No vocation in the world is quite like God’s calling to spread the good news of the gospel. The job description of the people of God is different from every other occupation. The demands of following Christ are intense; the hours are long for there is no end, and the stakes are high. But, the benefits are everlasting.

At times, our mission as Christians may look impossible. But, in every generation, ordinary people, just like you and me, have been called to meet the challenge. And, surprisingly, God does the impossible. He uses people like you and me to accomplish His extraordinary work.

The miracle of grace is that God’s church will always survive in spite of opposition and sin for He has guaranteed that “the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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