By CoronaMonroe [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons[/caption]What if 24-hour news channels existed back in the times of the Davidic kingdom?
Could you imagine the wall-to-wall coverage if the Bathsheba story ever broke?
Adultery, lies, a plot to murder, a good and faithful soldier killed. Do you think some of the Israelites would have been so disgusted with King David that they would have left the Kingdom? Where, however, would they have gone?
Maybe they would have made excuses for David. Perhaps they would point to all the good he had done and overlook his sins. After all, he was very contrite.
When his grandson, Rehoboam, took over the Kingdom, he was so bad that 10/12 of the people of God did walked away from the Davidic kingdom. They chose their own king. He didn’t turn out much better, though. As a matter of fact, the northern kingdom of Israel was eventually wiped out.
The Davidic line remained with the southern kingdom of Judah. You know why? Not because they had the good kings. King Rehoboam was not the only bad king; there was also Abijah, Ahaz, Manasseh, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah just to name a few. Yet God had promised David that the Savior King who would rule forever would come from his descendants. And God is always true to His word.
In the New Testament, Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise to David, gave the keys to the kingdom to Peter. Like the al ha-bayit (keeper of the keys or prime minister) of Biblical times, Peter’s duty would be to carry out the King’s authority and provide for His people in the absence of the King.
Of all the disciples, out of all the apostles, Peter was chosen – wonderful Peter who declared, “You are Christ, the Son of the Living God” - weak Peter, who denied even knowing Jesus. Peter was not perfect, but he was chosen. None of the apostles were perfect; after all, they were men.
Since then, the Church has had many popes and bishops who have continued the authority of Jesus on earth. Some have been very good and holy men – saints, even. Some have been just as evil as some of the kings in the Davidic line.
Once again, we are faced with some cardinals, bishops and priests who have betrayed the authority entrusted to them. They have gravely sinned and caused scandal. They have wounded the Church and individuals within it.
Should we, thus, leave the Church. “Lord, to whom shall we go?”
When Jesus put Peter in charge of the Church, He promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. Before ascending into Heaven, He again promised that the Holy Spirit would remain with them forever. God does not go back on His promises.
I cannot imagine leaving the Church. Thus, I refuse to allow the horrific actions of some evil men within the Church to turn me against her.
I would rather starve physically then deprive my soul of the Eucharist. And where would I go to get the guidance and graces I need to overcome my sins and weaknesses if I have not the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Moreover, I would miss the Communion of Saints, asking my patrons and heavenly posse for their prayers as they stand before the throne of God. I would miss my Mother, her love and guidance.
Without the Church I wouldn’t have the powerful prayer of the Rosary through which many insights into Jesus’ life and death come to me, not to mention the graces. I would miss out on the plethora of prayers given to us by holy men and women throughout the ages for every circumstance and need.
Yes, she may be in disarray, but the Church is the Bride of Christ. He will not turn His back on her. Neither will I.
Copyright 2018 Kelly Guest
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