Jesus selected James, Philip, and the other apostles at the start of His public ministry (Mk 3:13ff). Jesus also selected the apostles to see Him after He had risen from the dead (1 Cor 15:5, 7). No one can ever replace the witness of the apostles as “the chosen witnesses of the Lord’s Resurrection” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 860).

Jesus told His apostles: “He who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me” (Lk 10:16). Thus, we must pay close attention to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42), which continues in the Catholic Church through the Pope and bishops (Catechism, 863). If we refuse to listen to the Church, we risk rejecting Jesus Himself (see Mk 16:11, 14).

For example, some couples refuse to listen to the Church about refraining from the use of artificial birth control. They decide to form their own opinion on the subject. They expect Jesus to tell them Himself if it is against His will. Now, Jesus does reveal His truth to individuals some of the time. However, Jesus has already spoken through His witnesses, the Pope and the magisterium of the Church, about the deposit of faith. To refuse to listen to the Church is to refuse to listen to Jesus (Lk 10:16) and to risk damnation (see Jn 5:25, 28-29).

Repent of refusing to listen to Jesus through His apostolic Church! Listen to Jesus; don’t risk rejecting Him.

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