A Pathway to Loving Union with God
A Simple Explanation of Catholic Teaching and Practice
Enter the LibraryAbout the Catholic Faith
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after His crucifixion is a highpoint in human history. By it He proved He was God and therefore that His teaching was true.
Jesus was a Jew living in Palestine over 2000 years ago.
His coming fulfilled many biblical prophecies of a coming messiah who would save his people and whose kingdom would reign forever.
He taught that by living a moral life according to the ten commandments and loving God above all things, man would be rewarded with eternal life – a joyful union with God in love.
To make that possible, man had first to be reconciled with God because of sin.
God chose to prove the depths of His love for us by sending His own son to offer reparation. The prophets, particularly Isaiah, foretold His suffering.
During His public ministry from age 30 to 33, Jesus roamed Palestine preaching and working miracles until He was crucified in Jerusalem.
The group of 12 apostles that accompanied Jesus on his journeys, along with many disciples, became the first members of what is known today as the Catholic Church.
Christ instituted the Church to bring the benefits of salvation to future generations. Through the Mass and the sacraments, God’s grace comes to us and prepares us for eternal life.
The first leader of the apostles – the first pope – was St Peter and he died in Rome. Historically, Rome has been the city of residence for the pope. This is why the Church is sometimes referred to as the Roman Catholic Church.
Our Future - Our Choice
From His revelation we know God loves each one of us individually. He wants every single one of us to reach an eternal loving union with Him.
However, whether that happens or not is up to us.
Amazing . . . that the all-powerful creator of the universe allows us to choose our eternal destiny.
We can choose between good and evil; between following His rules and not. He has given us free will and He respects our choices.
So our eternal future depends on the choices we make in this life.
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Michelangelo's Pietà, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
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Learn More"The glory of God is man fully alive, and the life of man is the vision of God."— St. Irenaeus of Lyon