“Thou art Peter. On this rock, I build My Church.”

The other day, conversation with long-time acquaintances veered to religion.  “I never could figure out why you became a Catholic.”

“Well, it’s the only thing I found that didn’t have any holes in it.”

That did not sit well.  The imaginary millions of people killed by the Inquisition was brought up, along with the usual scandals.  Realizing that I could not overcome a lifetime of anti-Catholic brainwashing, the thought came to me that the best response was what Jesus had said.

So, I simply reported the facts.  “The Bible tells us that Jesus said ‘Thou art Peter.  On this rock, I build My Church.’  He said it to Peter.  He did not say to Thomas, ‘Thou art Thomas.  On this rock, etc.’  He didn’t tell that to John or James.  But, He did say to Peter, ‘Thou art Peter.  On this rock, I build My Church.’  There were twelve disciples, but One Church.”

It was odd that one of the people tried to twist the meaning of those plain, simple words.  I wondered if God simply does not want some people in His Church.

The ten words of Christ are as good an apology for the Catholic Faith as there is.  “Thou art Peter.  On this rock, I build My Church.”

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