Posted May 12, 2015

See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”

176. As members of the Church, we are members of the “one body” that is not defined by any human qualification, such as age, nationality, or intelligence, or by any human achievement, such as efficiency, organization, or moral virtue. If the Church were defined by any of these human qualities, we would have no rebirth “from above,” but only from here below, from ourselves and our own limited abilities. For no matter how intelligent or virtuous we are, it is nothing compared to the perfect love of Christ, and his Bride, the Jerusalem from above, our Mother, the Church. In becoming her son or daughter, we are receiving a gift, a new identity in Christ, which we cannot give ourselves.

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In its introduction, the document says its aim is to present “Catholic teaching in a way that is fresh, insightful, and accessible to contemporary Catholics and all people of good will.” The catechesis “offers a narrative beginning with our creation, soberly noting our fall and the challenges we face, but emphasizing God’s plan for our salvation. Love is our mission, and it is by loving God and one another that we will be fully alive.”

Each day in CatholicPhilly.com’s World Meeting of Families section you can reflect on the official Catholic teaching on the family presented in the catechesis, pray a special prayer together as a family or individually, and stay on top of breaking news about the events coming Sept. 22-27, 2015.

Order the catechesis for your home via Our Sunday Visitor, and visit WorldMeeting2015.org for more information on the events.

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