Meditation of the day: the Church will always prevail

Think of the many human institutions that have existed over the centuries. The most powerful governments have come and gone. Various movements have come and gone. Countless organizations have come and gone. But the Catholic Church remains and will remain until the end of time. This is one of our Lord's promises that we celebrate today.

“And so I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you melt on earth will be melted in heaven “. Matthew 16: 18–19

There are several fundamental truths teach us from this passage above. One of these truths is that "the gates of hell" will never prevail against the Church. There is much to rejoice about this fact.

the Church will always be the same as Jesus

The Church has not remained simply thanks to good leadership all these years. Indeed, corruption and severe internal conflict have been evident from the very beginning in the Church. Popes lived immoral lives. Cardinals and bishops lived as princes. Some priests have sinned seriously. And many religious orders have struggled with serious internal divisions. But the Church itself, this shining Bride of Christ, this infallible institution remains and will continue to remain because Jesus guaranteed it.

With today's modern media where every sin of every member of the Church can be transmitted instantly and universally to the world, there can be a temptation to look down on the Church. Scandal, division, controversy and the like can shake us to the core at times and cause some to question their continued participation in the Roman Catholic Church. But the truth is that every weakness of its members it should actually be a reason for us to renew and deepen our faith in the Church itself. Jesus did not promise that every leader of the Church would be a saint, but he promised that "the gates of hell" would not prevail against her.

Reflect today on your vision of the Church today. If scandals and divisions have weakened your faith, turn your eyes to our Lord and His holy and divine promise. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. This is a fact promised by our Lord himself. Believe it and rejoice in this glorious truth.

Prayer: My glorious Spouse, you have established the Church on the rock foundations of Peter's faith. Peter and all his successors are your precious gift to us all. Help me to see beyond the sins of others, the scandals and divisions, and to see You, my Lord, leading all people to salvation through Your spouse, the Church. I renew my faith today in the gift of this one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Jesus I believe in you.