During my first RCIA lesson, I discovered that the Church isn’t just a grand, elegant building as I had initially thought. Instead, it is a gathering of Christians in small communities or homes to worship and celebrate our Lord. In the time of the early Christians, they would pray, sing hymns, read Scripture, and share communal meals, also known as the Eucharistic or Lord’s Supper. It was a simple and beautiful way of life. Back then, there were no fixed places of worship. It was just a group of brothers and sisters in faith gathering together to express their love and praise for our Lord Jesus Christ.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
Like how a seed needs good fertile soil, a skyscraper requires a strong base, and a pair of leather shoes relies on a good traditional hand-welted sole to support the feet and body weight. “The Rock,” not referring to the celebrity or a physical rock, was the name that Jesus gifted to St. Peter (Simon Peter), was entrusted by Jesus to build the Church. He served as the foundation and our first pope.
“Ground that has absorbed the rain falling upon it repeatedly and brings forth crops useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God.” Hebrews 7:7
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” Matthew 7: 24-25
St. Peter was one of the first saints I encountered in scripture, and he quickly became one of my favourites. He was an unexpected choice for the first pope of the Church, given his description as rash, hasty, and occasionally short-tempered. Despite lacking intellect, status, or wealth, St. Peter was a humble fisherman with a gentle yet firm nature. I admired his thirst for knowledge, exemplified by his determination to learn Greek despite not being bilingual. He was inquisitive and never hesitated to seek clarification when he didn’t understand something.
As St Peter’s responsibilities increased, he revealed his strong leadership skills and unwavering loyalty to Jesus. A standout moment was when he fearlessly walked on water towards Jesus during a storm, displaying remarkable faith. Despite denying Jesus three times, this experience humbled St Peter, making him more watchful and committed to his calling. His deep love and trust in Jesus were evident as he chose to be crucified upside down, acknowledging his unworthiness compared to Christ. Peter’s life inspires us to view our past failures as transformative scars that drive us to greater devotion and loyalty to Jesus.
“So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven: hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little.” Luke 8:47
Jesus built the Church based on the kind of faith demonstrated by St. Peter. When Jesus spoke of the Church, he wasn’t referring to a physical institution, as he stated, “his kingdom is not of this world.” It is in Heaven; a piece of it should be in each person’s soul. Once we build this Church in our soul and keep it clean, God or Jesus can live in us through this Church.
“and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love.” Ephesians 3:17
The Church, often called the “bride of Christ”, is the foundation of our faith. It offers guidance and understanding of God’s will through teachings, sacraments, and the Word of God. Catholic moral teachings provide a framework for ethical living, emphasising human dignity, social justice, and love for others.
Active participation in the Church, through the Eucharist, sacraments, prayer, and worship, strengthens our faith and helps us live out our beliefs. The Church encourages service, outreach, and the practice of compassion, mercy, and justice towards others. It also places importance on family and community, fostering faith within families and creating a sense of belonging and support in its ministry and community.
However, amidst all these aspects, we must not lose sight of the foundation: Building a close and personal relationship with God and glorifying our Lord, our heavenly Father.
“Think of what is above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
We can sit with the Lord in the adoration room, spend time with Jesus, and pray together with our family and fellow believers. Reading the Scripture allows His words to deeply impact us, and we should praise and glorify Him for everything, even the very breath we breathe. Engaging with the community and participating parish activities help us builds a personal church within our souls, where God our heavenly father and Jesus can reside.
“The Lord is near to all who call upon him in truth” Psalm 146: 18
In times of hardship and struggle, will you seek Him? In moments of joy and abundance, will you praise and glorify Him? When you feel lost and alone, will you find solace in His presence? When there’s no one else to turn to, will you pour out your heart to Him?
This reminder echoes not for you alone, but within me it finds a home.
O brothers and sisters, let us strive, to build this church, with faith ablaze in our hearts.
For Christ, we lay each rock, a sacred sacrifice.
Our love may flow, as deep as the sea, in adoration of Him who set us free.
Written by Kit Lee