The Holy Father on the Ecclesial Nature of Faith

I cannot build my personal faith on a private conversation with Jesus, for faith is given to me by God through the community of believers, which is the Church.  It numbers me among the multitude of believers, in a communion which is not merely sociological but, rather, which is rooted in the eternal love of God, who in himself is the communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - who is Trinitarian Love.  Our faith is truly personal only if it is also communal.  It can only be my faith only if it lives and moves in the “we” of the Church, only if it is our faith, the common faith of the one Church.  ~Pope Benedict XVI, 10/31/12 General Audience

 

God, however, does not make men holy and save them merely as individuals, without bond or link between one another. Rather has it pleased Him to bring men together as one people, a people which acknowledges Him in truth and serves Him in holiness.  ~Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, #9 

Dear Lord, how marvelous it is that You have brought us together as the Church!  With all my heart I thank You for this wonderful gift and great privilege!  Strengthen our communion with You and with each other and bring us to the fullness of charity (Eucharist Prayer II) as we journey together to that everlasting home which You have prepared for us, where we shall be with You forever (1 Thess 4:17).  Amen.