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April 21, 2009, Bright Tuesday of the Resurrection of the Lord
The Nicene Creed declares the Church to be "Catholic," in the sense of the word from
the original, "katholikos," meaning "whole, entire, or universal." Today's Apostle reading from
Acts can show you much about the wholeness or universality - the Catholicity - of the Church.
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Acts 2:14-21 (4/21) Apostle for the Tuesday of Bright Week
The Church Catholic: Acts 2:14-21, especially vss. 16, 17: "But this is what was spoken by the
prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My
Spirit on all flesh....'"
We considered the "Apostolic" nature of the Church on Bright Monday. This present reading
from Acts invites you to consider the "Catholicity" of the Church that the Nicene Creed declares
using the original sense of the word, "katholikos," meaning "universal, whole, or entire." Today's
Apostle reading can show you much about the wholeness - the Catholicity - of the Church.
On the day of Pentecost, on behalf of the entire Church, St. Peter, joined by the eleven other
Chief Apostles (vs. 14), declared a universal message of good news for all mankind, applicable
to "all flesh" (vs. 17). Thus, when we refer to the entire Church united in teaching, worship and
prayer, "...standing up with..." (vs. 14) Her apostolic leaders, it is right to use the word
"Catholic." In so doing, we embrace the universal Gospel to which the entire Holy Community
witnesses - a comprehensive message relevant for all peoples, cultures, and activities.
The Church is Catholic because She is a living miracle of unity in Christ among a diversity of
persons brought together as a single whole. The living reality of many-as-one, reveals the Church
as an icon of the Holy Trinity, reflecting unity among Persons. As we are able to distinguish the
three Persons of the One Godhead, similarly we can point to the variety of persons gathered
around their Bishops, to one world-wide, Catholic Church, in Common-union.
In nascent form, the Church, with the Apostles, was the tangible, true Israel of God, being one in
heart, soul, and Communion with Her Lord - the Messiah, Jesus. As the Church grew
geographically, She remained united world-wide, gathered around Her Apostolic leadership, the
Bishops. She heeds St. Cyprian of Carthage: "Let no one, beloved brethren, make you to err from
the ways of the Lord....let no one take sons of the Church away from the Church....let them be
alone for themselves who have wished to perish...let them alone be without Bishops who have
rebelled against Bishops...." The Catholic Church gathers around Her Pastors.
The Church is supremely Catholic because Her message is universal, for all mankind. She
proclaims a complete Gospel for all the world, whoever, wherever, and whenever. Observe: in
his sermon, that the Apostle Peter quotes from the Prophet Joel to explain how it was that the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit on men from an "...out of the way place" called Galilee could be
understood by people of so many different languages and cultures of the world. The
proclamation of Life in Christ is for "all flesh" (vs. 17), because it applies to the shared problems
and needs of all human beings. The Church, with healing intention for all, presents a Catholic
message that does not exclude certain persons born to any particular race or language. The Good
News will be proclaimed until every knee shall bow to Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:10,11).
The Church is Catholic because She is united by one Name: Jesus Christ, her Lord, God, and
Savior. He became Incarnate in order that all human beings might have a wholesome relationship
through Him with God the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit. By blood and spiritual nature,
men and women are the same, so that "...whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved"
(Acts 2:21). It matters not whether those who pray to God are men or women, young or old,
slaves or free (vs. 18). The Catholic Church extends Communion to the ends of the earth,
holding one Faith under one Apostolic leadership, for all people in their needs.
O Lord, confirm and strengthen Thy Holy Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic Church, increase it
and keep it in peace and preserve it unconquerable forever.
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