Church History: A Lesson in Awe

Yesterday, Pope Benedict reflected on the history of the Church and in particular, the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea, the first historian of the Church. When I read the historical writings of the early Church 3 years ago I realized they reflected Catholic belief that has not changed in 2000 years. I felt ashamed and embarrassed that I had such an incorrect view of Church history. I also was angry that in my faith circles, no one in thirty years had ever discussed the writings of the Church fathers. My view since fourteen years of age was this: "Jesus was born, died, rose again and started a church that immediately went South, and the Holy Spirit went on sabbatical for 150o hundred years." I am now in awe when I realize that His promise that the gates of hell would not prevail has indeed always been kept.

Pope Benedict: "Many centuries later, Eusebius of Caesarea still today issues an invitation to believers. He invites us to be awed by and to contemplate the great work of salvation that God has accomplished in history. And with the same vigor, he invites us to a conversion of life. In fact, before a God who has loved us so much, we cannot remain unaffected. The very demand of love is that all of life be oriented toward the imitation of the Beloved."

It now makes much more sense for me to believe that the God who promised to never leave or forsake us and to lead us in all Truth has never left the Church He started. We used to sing a chorus in our old fellowship that went like this:

"I will build my Church (women echo)
And the gates of Hell (echo)
Will not prevail (echo)
Against It...."

Little did I realize I was actually singing about the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic church. Now that is something to be in awe over.