In Search of the Perfect Church

By Michael Callahan

In the perfect church, people would be motivated by love. To love God with all of your heart, mind and soul; and likewise to love your neighbor as your self. Just as Jesus said, this is the heart and soul of the law given to Israel through Moses. In the perfect church people would not be driven by pride, greed and jealousy. It would not matter how the job got done or who was responsible for it's success. Nobody would care about what was in it for them. In the perfect church there would be no sin. Doing the right thing would not be given a second thought. If we were are all acting in love and compassion in everything that we do, how could there possibly be any condemnation? In the perfect church there would not be any doubt about God's will for us. We would be in perfect communion with our Lord. We would have no other desire but to serve and worship Him, the Lord of all creation.

You won't find the perfect church in your home town, or even in your state. The perfect church can't be found locally. If you really want to find the perfect church, I commend your goal. It is a goal that will take you on a broad road that winds through life and all of it's imperfections and strife. Like the pilgrims of old you will be seeking to understand God's will. There are so many branches, twists and turns along this road that it would be helpful if you sought the advise of a guide. This guide will direct you to the straighter and narrower path. However, the straighter and narrower path will probably not be the easiest rout to take. On this path you will encounter many obstacles. Your guide will point out the warning signs along the way. If you ignored these signs you could be distracted and not find the way. The signs are not printed, but they are bold and undeniable. Signs are also small and almost undetectable. However, they are there none the less. You also find signs that unmistakably direct you to the right path. Initially you will find that the hardest signs to follow are the ones marked love and forgiveness. Hatred and bigotry are so much easier. Or are they? And the road narrows again.

You become great friends with your guide. He has lead you with love and compassion. You trust him, and have no doubt that he is leading you in the right direction. After you have been on the road with your guide for a while your journey becomes easier. The warning signs have not disappeared, but, the subtle ones have become more visible. There is no longer any doubt which path is the right one to take. There are always detours along this ever narrowing way, and then, one day you find yourself right at the front door of the perfect church.

There is so much love emanating from this place, it is unmistakable. So much love is emanating from this sanctuary that it shines as a beacon in the night. You walk through the door and you are welcomed as an old dear friend. You feel the burden of your journey lighten. You know that your search is over when you look up and realize that your best friend, the one who has been guiding you all along the way is standing before you. Everyone in the sanctuary is bowing down before him, giving him praise, worshiping Him. Your eyes well up with tears. The dust of your journey washes from your eyes. It almost seems involuntarily, your knees bend and you bow before your Lord. Your best friend and companion. You understand, finally. You are home.

The perfect church is not one made with human hands. No, it cannot be found in your lifetime. We as Catholic Christians are all on a journey called life. If we allow ourselves to be guided by God's Holy Spirit, He will direct us on a cleansing path. If we are faithful to His leading in our life we will grow in love and compassion. Pride, greed and sin will be signs that are ever decreasing as we journey along life's pathway.

King of Glory is not the perfect church. However, we are attempting to follow God's direction in search of that final goal. Will you to join with us on our journey to find that perfect church. All are welcome!

May God bless us with his mercy as we search for His signs.