The Name Catholic..
Saint Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 98-117)
“Whosoever shall receive one such child as this in my name, receiveth me. And whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”~Mark 9:37
Today is the Feast Day of Saint Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 98-117).
Tradition holds that he was the infant whom Jesus took in his arms, saying, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me" as recounted in Mark's Gospel.1
He was a disciple of Saint John the Apostle. His writings are important because it shows a belief in the truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist is not some new “theory” and can be traced back to ancient times.
St. Ignatius of Antioch was the successor of Saint Peter the Apostle as the third bishop of Antioch being ordained by Peter himself.
St. Ignatius of Antioch is the first to have used the term "Catholic" Church, meaning "Universal." His feast day is October 17th.2
Let’s look at the word Catholic and its true meaning as defined by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary.
History and Etymology for catholic
Adjective
Middle English catholik, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French catholique, from Late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos universal, general, from katholou in general, from kata by + holos whole — more at CATA-, SAFE
Catholic means Comprehensive and Universal. It means Whole.
Let’s look at the kid’s definition of Catholic. Its definition is rather interesting in my opinion.
Just looking at the kid’s definition isn’t it saying that the Christian Church is the Roman Catholic Church as a whole?
My focus and area of expertise is the soul so for me it’s a no-brainer to be Catholic.
Everyone has a soul, the Catholic Church is Universal to all by its very name. It has the Supersubstantial Bread needed daily to support one’s soul. Why wouldn’t every Christian not be a part of the Catholic Church? Why wouldn’t every soul explore what is Universally created for all?
The roots of the Universal Catholic Church are the foundation for gaining good success in attaining life and passing through the thin and narrow gate which so few find.
I never learned this meaning (of Catholicism) as a kid, did you?
Isn’t it ironic that the world hides the basic meaning and definition of words from us as children? Maybe it doesn’t hide it per se but it doesn’t promote it either. I have many years of attending Catholic schools and I don’t recall this being taught to me.
We have to re-educate ourselves, our youth, and our society in many key foundational areas from the basic definition of life to the meaning of success if we want to find our truest, highest self and purpose in this roller coaster we call “life.” If our foundation is weak what we build will eventually collapse. Isn’t it better to rebuild rather than wait for it to crumble?
"I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire his blood, which is love incorruptible" (Letter to the Romans 7:3 [A.D. 110]).
Those indeed, who belong to God and to Jesus Christ—they are with the bishop. And those who repent and come to the unity of the Church—they too shall be of God. . . . Do not err my brethren: if anyone follow a schismatic, he will not inherit the Kingdom of God. . . . Take care, then, to use one Eucharist, so that whatever you do, you do according to God: for there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup in the union of His Blood; one altar as there is one bishop with the presbytery and my fellow servants, the deacons (Letter to the Philadelphians, Chapter 3).
“I wish not merely to be called a Christian, but also to be a Christian.”~St. Ignatius of Antioch
“Do not have Jesus Christ on your lips, and the world in your heart.”~St. Ignatius of Antioch
Below is how he passed away pleading not to be rescued from his release.
“The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ.” He was devoured by lions in Rome in the early second century.3
I will leave you with today’s writings from Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
Awakening a Wise Concern
Meditation
"Let us awaken within all of us, without any exception, a wise concern for the salvation and sanctification of our neighbor, whether he be nearby or far away, including those who are complete strangers to our nationality and race, and let us carry out all this through the Immaculata, Mediatrix of all graces, of any grace of conversion and sanctification." (KW 1218)
Prayer of Consecration
O Immaculata, I renew my consecration to you. Please awaken within me a wise concern for the salvation and sanctification of all souls.
O Immaculata, please intercede ...
That, faithful to praying the Rosary, we may defend and promote the Faith and Christian values in the world. (October intention)
The Catholic Company
The Catholic Company
The Catholic Company