the church of jesus christ
"You are not judging by God's standards but by man's." —Matthew 16:23
Jesus founded His Church in the shadows of Caesarea Philippi, a city named after and built by the Roman emperor (Mt 16:13). In contrast, Jesus' Church had no land or buildings. It was just a few common people.
Jesus founded His Church on Simon Peter, a simple Jewish fisherman, rather than on the mighty Roman emperor or other worldly powers (Mt 16:18).
Jesus implied that His Church would be victorious not by inflicting suffering and death but by sharing in His sufferings and death.
Jesus paints the picture of a poor, weak, and suffering Church, at least by the world's standards. Amazingly, this Church holds the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:19). It can attack and conquer Caesarea Philippi and all Satan's strongholds (Mt 16:18). Whatever it binds or looses on earth is bound or loosed in heaven (Mt 16:19). This is the Church of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, mold me and mold the Church according to Your plan.
Promise: "The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah." —Jer 31:31
Praise: St. Dominic defeated heresy by combining the preaching of God's work with a lifestyle of gospel poverty.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 7, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 12, 2002