From the Gospel of Saint Luke we are instructed: “And sitting He taught the multitudes out of the ship.” This ship has been seen as being an image of the Church. When it pertains to a boat it sets sale to a destination and at times must face turbulent waters. The same holds true for the Church for she brings us to the destination of the Kingdom of Heaven and along the way assists us in overcoming the turbulent waters that come our way.
We must never loose sight of the Church. There are many who would lead us to believe that her teaching authority should not be taken seriously, but we cannot allow these voices to overcome us and to lead us astray. No matter how much some would like us to believe that we have become changed by the passing of time and therefore have no need for the Church, we cannot cater to these voices. It is the voice of Christ that speaks to us from the teaching authority of the Church, who always knows what is best for us, if we are to overcome these turbulent waters.
Without Christ and the Church we will continue to work on our own. We will continue to cast our net into the sea and there will be nothing that we will catch. We will always end up longing for something more then what we have received. This is evident in our society because we attempt to do everything exempt from Christ and Divine Law. We as Catholics are often so confused when it pertains to the teachings of the Church and how they are important for us in this day and age.
We have no further to look for this answer, but our Gospel. It was from the boat that Christ commanded the apostles to lower their nets and from their obedience onto Him they caught a great catch which was so great that their net broke. Likewise, Christ continues to speak to us and instruct us from the teaching authority of the Church. We do not have to fear this voice, but enter into relationship with Him and heed His voice. To think of the abundant catch which would be made if we so cared.
Therefore, let each of us lead the way by entering more fully into the life of the Church. Let us take sin seriously and thus be moved to the sacrament of confession. Let us heed the moral teachings of the Church because by doing so we make a drastic change to a society which speaks a different voice. Let us come to know Christ and His Church for to do so is to strive for the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us always come to strive for this Heavenly Kingdom which lies in wait for those who dare to love and serve the Lord our God.
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