Ever Ancient, Ever New

Grab

What item/s from the past do you still use until today?

Grace

Read John 14:6

In Saint Augustine’s autobiography entitled Confessions, he said of God, “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new. You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you.” 

These lines speak of the conversion of Saint Augustine, who searched for life’s meaning and discovered that the only answer was Jesus Christ. Though he wanted to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, the memories of his “old loves” – pleasure, lust, greed and pride – haunted him. Through his searching, he was able to utter, “our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.”

We can find inspiration in the life of Augustine who, through his unrest and sinfulness, discovered that Jesus is the “way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

1. The Way - Jesus is the only way that leads to the Father. The world gives us many wrong paths to choose from, but it is only through knowing Jesus and following His examples can we find full and lasting happiness.

2. The Truth - To know history is to be Catholic. We are all hungry and thirsty for the truth, because it is the deepest need of the human spirit. History alone proves that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus, who is the response to all the questions of the human heart.

3. The Life - Jesus came to provide the ultimate answer to the yearning of life. There are false prophets who teach us how to live life carelessly and hopelessly. We are to keep in mind that Jesus, who died and rose for humanity, wants us to live a life to full.

Jesus is the sole redeemer of all mankind. He has entrusted this work of saving souls through the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church that he himself instituted. Everything that She has taught, as revealed by God, remains the same yesterday, today and forever. 

The last lines of Augustine’s Confessions say, “Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all… I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.” Every man has the right to religious freedom. Yet, Jesus is the only way that leads to salvation. This is what is meant by the saying, “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” (outside of the Church there is no salvation). How beautiful is our Church – ever ancient, ever new!

Gather

How do you live out the age-old teachings of the Catholic Church in this modern times?

Go Forth

Be active in knowing more about the authentic teachings of the Church. Together with your spouse and your household members attend the Live the Faith online sessions, which happen every 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.

Give

God is Generous and in response, let us be good stewards by consistent Spiritual Giving, our tithing. 

For Tithes Remittance of NCR Members: bit.ly/mfctithes