Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop George Lucas discusses the centrality of the Resurrection in the Christian life. He reflects on the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ, using the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus as a model for how Jesus meets people in their confusion and sorrow. This personal encounter, available through the Church and its sacraments, is not dependent on perfect understanding or worthiness. Instead, it is a gift offered through the Holy Spirit, calling each person to live in the reality of Christ’s presence here and now. The Resurrection isn’t just a past event to remember—it’s a living truth that invites a response of joy, relationship, and witness.
He also speaks to the responsibility of parishes to support new members entering the Church through the Easter Vigil. These neophytes, full of zeal and spiritual gifts, should be welcomed as vital parts of the community, not left to navigate the life of faith on their own. Parishes must foster a “clear path of discipleship,” continually encouraging growth and deeper conversion. While many might relate to spirituality in a general sense, the Resurrection proclaims a concrete truth about God’s love and power. He urges us to carry the joy of Easter beyond the season and into their daily lives, staying connected to Christ not only through Lenten penance, but through an ongoing relationship nurtured in prayer, community, and the sacraments.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. How do I personally encounter the risen Christ in my daily life? 2. In what ways might I be missing Jesus’ presence, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus? 3. Do I believe that Jesus desires to meet me where I am, even in confusion or doubt? 4. How does the Resurrection shape my understanding of suffering, hope, and new life? 5. What prevents me from sharing the joy of encountering Christ with others? 6. How can I help my parish become a place where others can truly meet Jesus? 7. What does it mean for me to live as someone “alive in Christ” today? 8. Am I continuing to grow in my faith after Easter, or slipping back into old habits? 9. How can I support new members of the Church in their journey of discipleship? 10. What is one step I can take this week to respond more fully to the truth of the Resurrection?
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast pageFor more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.orgThe post WM41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 42 – Experiencing the Joy of Divine Mercy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss Easter as a season for joy within our lives and within the church, focusing on the joy found in the devotion to the Divine Mercy.
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Episode 41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss Easter as a season for joy within our lives and within the church, drawing back upon the Kerygma as shown in the Gospel readings throughout the Easter Season following Jesus’ resurrection.
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast pageFor more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.orgThe post WM41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 40 – Journey of Faith – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the “Journey of Faith”, a new way to bring together parishes within the Archdiocese, helping to meet the challenges and new reality facing parish life. While the conversation primarily addresses what is happening within the Archdiocese of Omaha, Archbishop Lucas’ words can be of great benefit to other Dioceses across the country facing similar challenges as well.
From the Archdiocese of Omaha’s Website:
Current Realities, priesthood“The challenge is to see this as an opportunity, to have a deeper experience in the activity of the Holy Spirit, and to respond really in faith, and to trust God.” – Archbishop George Lucas
Families of Parishes: A Modern-Day Answer in Our Journey of FaithWhy does this Journey of Faith matter so much right now? Think about how you have experienced or struggled in your own journey of faith. As one church, we must respond to changes in our Catholic community and the world around us.
A Vision for Active Parish CommunitiesOur shared vision for the archdiocese guides our Journey of Faith over the next three years. It comes directly from the hopes and spiritual desires of Catholics shared in listening sessions across the archdiocese.
Where We’ve BeenWhat we’ve learned over the last few years, will help us understand how to embark on a new journey to live our Catholic faith in new, more outgoing ways.
Journey of Faith PrayerLord and Giver of Life,
we ask for your guidance
as we journey to discover your plan
for our parishes and schools.
Change can bring about great excitement;
it can also be the source of anxiety and fear.
Help us to move forward with faith, courage and confidence.
Give us open minds and clarity
as we discern your will for a promising future.
May Jesus, the constant companion of the Church since Pentecost,
help us to accept the challenges of loving service
in new and invigorating ways.
May Mary, Mother of the Church,
encourage our efforts to listen and learn.
In the beginning, you hovered over the waters,
giving birth to your plan for creation.
You were present to the People of Israel,
speaking to them, teaching them,
and guiding them. Be present with us now,
and give us your light to see the way.
Amen.
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Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast pageFor more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.orgThe post WM40 – Journey of Faith – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 39 – Living the Reality of the Christmas Season – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss living the joys and challenges of the Christmas Season authentically.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
The Christmas mystery525 Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. 202 Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven’s glory was made manifest. 203 The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night:
The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal
And the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible.
The angels and shepherds praise him
And the magi advance with the star,
For you are born for us, Little Child, God eternal! 204526 To become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the kingdom. 205 For this, we must humble ourselves and become little. Even more: to become “children of God” we must be “born from above” or “born of God”. 206 Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us. 207 Christmas is the mystery of this “marvellous exchange”:
O marvellous exchange! Man’s Creator has become man, born of the Virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share our humanity. 208
Notes:
202 Cf. Lk 2:61.203 Cf. Lk 2:8-20.
204 Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist.
205 Cf. Mt 18:3-4.
206 Jn 3:7; 1:13; 1:12; cf. Mt 23:12.
207 Cf. Gal 4:19.
208 LH, Antiphon I of Evening Prayer for January 1st.
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Episode 38 – Preparing for the Coming of Christ – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the events leading up to the celebration of Christmas and how the coming of Christ experienced in our lives today.
GospelLk 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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Episode 37 – Giving Witness to Christ – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the heart of Kerygma as Peter addresses the Jews gathered in Jerusalem, reminding them that the events they have just experienced were foretold by the prophet Joel (Acts 2: 14-21), and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Messiah (Acts 2: 22-36)
Some of the takeaways for us is that there is no replacement for authentic first-hand witnesses. As Christ’s witnesses, we are encouraged to:
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Episode 36 – Second Sunday of Advent and the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the season of Advent and its particular nature in relation to the Kerygma (the pronouncement of the Good News). In this episode, they discuss the gospel reading found in the First Sunday of Advent.
GospelMt 3:1-12John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
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Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA and the First Week of Advent
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Episode 34 – What is the Kerygma Part 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Luca Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA From the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 164. In catechesis too, we have rediscovered the fundamental role ... Read more
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Episode 33 – What is the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Luca Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA From the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 164. In catechesis too, we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the ... Read more
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Episode 32 Called to Mission – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode with Archbishop Lucas discusses with Kris McGregor what it is to be outward-looking disciples of Jesus. People we know are starving for God’s love and impoverished by loneliness, addiction, anxiety, and broken relationships. What are ... Read more
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. in this Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. in this Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor in this special episode as they discuss the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade on the Why it Matters Discerning Hearts Podcast.
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they begin a conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue their conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they begin their conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue their conversation on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they begin a conversation on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue their discussion on the Second Vatican Council - Discerning Hearts Podcast
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Episode 16 Vatican II – Introduction pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin with an introduction to Vatican II. The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II, was the 21st ecumenical ... Read more
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Discerning Hearts special with Archbishop George Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha. In this episode, Archbishop Lucas discusses the particulars concerning the lifting of some restrictions implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. How will this look in individual parishes? How will this affect ministries? How will this touch the lives of individuals and families? Do we ... Read more
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Discerning Hearts special with Archbishop George Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha. In this episode, Archbishop Lucas discusses the challenges we all are facing in the light of the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. He reminds us that God is not mad with us, but loves us all more deeply than we could ... Read more
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In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we continue the conversation on why prayer matters?
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Episode 14 Why Prayer Matters – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode with Archbishop Lucas we begin the conversation on why prayer matters? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, ... Read more
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In this episode, Archbishop Lucas addresses the Clerical Abuse Crisis now plaguing the Roman Catholic Church and the deeply disturbing behavior of the former Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C.,Theodore McCarrick. He also discusses the allegations of the former Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, that the Holy See, and in particular Pope Francis, was aware of McCarrick's actions, yet allowed him to maintain a high profile role in the Church.
Archbishop Lucas also speaks of the need to protect the young and the vulnerable, as well as the concerns for seminarians and the state of our seminary system in the United States. He unequivocally states that we should not be afraid of the truth in dealing with this serious situation. He reiterates the vital need for transparency in this matter and the necessity of listening deeply to the pain brought about by this grave and disturbing sin. He joins with his brother bishops in their call for answers to the questions brought forward by this issue in order to restore trust, reestablish integrity, and bring about healing, through Jesus Christ, to all those touched by this crisis.
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Episode 12 Why Confirmation Matters – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode with Archbishop Lucas we continue the conversation about the action of the Holy Spirit and why the Sacrament of Confirmation matters? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1309 Preparation for Confirmation should aim at ... Read more
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Episode 11 Why Confirmation Matters – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode with Archbishop Lucas we begin the conversation about the action of the Holy Spirit and why the Sacrament of Confirmation matters? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1309 Preparation for Confirmation should aim at ... Read more
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Episode 10 Why the Priesthood Matters – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode with Archbishop Lucas we begin the conversation about the Sacrament of Holy Orders and why the priesthood matters? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: In the person of Christ the Head . . . 1548 In ... Read more
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Episode 9 “GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE” by Pope Francis pt.3 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode, Archbishop Lucas continues the conversation on various aspects of the April 2018 Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and be glad)” given to the faithful by Pope Francis. We conclude our ... Read more
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Episode 8 “GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE” by Pope Francis pt.2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode, Archbishop Lucas continues the conversation on various aspects of the April 2018 Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and be glad)” given to the faithful by Pope Francis. We conclude our ... Read more
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Episode 7 “GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE” by Pope Francis pt.1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode, Archbishop Lucas reflects on the April 2018 Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and be glad)” given to the faithful by Pope Francis. We discuss Chapter 1, entitled “The Call to ... Read more
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Episode 6 “Baptism: Liberation and Communion” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode, we continue our conversation on why baptism matters. We will discuss, among other things, the experience of exorcism contained within the rite, the blessing of the water, and the action of baptism with the ... Read more
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Episode 5 “Baptism: Why the Parish and the Saints Matter” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas In this episode, we continue our conversation on why baptism matters. We will discuss, among other things, the importance of the parish community and the need to support parents in witness and catechesis. ... Read more
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In this episode we continue our conversation on why baptism matters. We will discuss, among other things, the reason for infant baptisms in the life of the Church, the vital role the parents have in nurturing baptismal grace in the hearts of their children and how godparents, grandparents and the entire parish community contribute to the life of faith of the newly baptized child.
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In this episode, we discuss "Why Being Baptism Matters." Archbishop Lucas contiures to disucss why being a Catholic matters and moves into the importance of Baptism.
From DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH - LUMEN GENTIUM no. 1267
1267 Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: "Therefore . . . we are members one of another."72 Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body."73
From CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI no. 12
In the words of Saint Paul we find again the faithful echo of the teaching of Jesus himself, which reveals the mystical unity of Christ with his disciples and the disciples with each other, presenting it as an image and extension of that mystical communion that binds the Father to the Son and the Son to the Father in the bond of love, the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 17:21). Jesus refers to this same unity in the image of the vine and the branches: "I am the vine, you the branches" (Jn 15:5), an image that sheds light not only on the deep intimacy of the disciples with Jesus but on the necessity of a vital communion of the disciples with each other: all are branches of a single vine.
From DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH - LUMEN GENTIUM no. 32
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Episode 2 "Why Being Catholic Matters" - Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode, we discuss "Why Being Catholic Matters." Archbishop Lucas also talks about the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" and in particular "The Rite of Election" where those who are seeking to be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church are received by the bishop of a diocese. The activity of grace which is experienced in our sacramental activity is touched upon by Archbishop Lucas, as well as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment which touches on our experience of Lent today. He also responds to some of the challenges which may confront Catholics out in the world and what our response should be.
From DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH - LUMEN GENTIUM no. 14
Basing itself on scripture and tradition, it teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism (cf. Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it, or to remain in it.
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In this introductory episode of this series, we discuss "Why Religion Matters." Archbishop Lucas also addresses why Christianity matters and the importance of having a relationship with God.
History shows that men and women, in good times and bad, seek truth outside themselves as well as within. And they follow the answers they receive. In our contemporary world, human knowledge through science and technological advances, have offered more choices and possibilities than ever before. Our horizons seem to stretch thinner and move faster than we are capable of handling. But in the end, we are same spiritual beings. Throughout our journeys the longing within endures.
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