Why is it that the Catholic Church so often finds itself under fire from certain Protestant voices?
They challenge the Eucharist.
They dismiss our liturgy.
They question our prayers, our devotions, our Pope.
They say we are not Christian—why? Because we are not “Protestant enough.”
And yet…
They rarely mention the Orthodox, the Coptic, or the Syrian Malabar Churches.
These ancient communities are Catholic too.
They share the same apostolic roots, the same reverence for sacrament and tradition.
So why single out Rome?
It wounds the heart when the deepest expressions of our faith are misunderstood.
The Eucharist is not a man-made ritual.
It is the living memory of Christ’s sacrifice.
Our liturgy is not hollow.
It is heaven’s rhythm echoing on earth.
Our prayers and devotions are not distractions.
They are how we cling to Jesus in the quiet corners of daily life.
And what of tradition?
Scripture itself was born from it.
The early Church did not begin with a bound Bible.
It began with stories shared, letters written, teachings passed down in community.
What is written down is sacred.
But so is what has been handed on.
Even Scripture does not claim “Scripture alone.”
It proclaims:
“The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,
though testified to by the law and the prophets…
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”
(Romans 3:21–22)
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me;
but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
(Luke 10:16)
The holiness of Catholic tradition—our sacraments, our devotions—is testified to by Scripture itself.
Faith is central.
Grace is a gift.
But faith does not erase the Church—it builds it.
God is not the God of one denomination.
He is the God of all who seek Him.
As Paul reminds us:
“Does God belong to Jews alone?
Does He not belong to Gentiles too?
Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one.”
(Romans 3:29–30)
Even Jesus was interrogated, misunderstood, plotted against.
So perhaps we should not be surprised when His Church faces hostility.
He warned of challenges against His Church. He said:
“Woe to you, scholars of the law!
You have taken away the key of knowledge.
You yourselves did not enter,
and you stopped those trying to enter.”
(Luke 11:52)
But we must not respond with bitterness.
We respond with clarity.
With humility.
With love.
Let us live the Gospel—not just preach it.
Let us honor the Body of Christ—not just debate it.
Let us walk the path of faith—not just defend it.
Because in the end, it’s not about being “Catholic enough.”
It’s about being faithful.
And faithfulness is quiet.
It is steady.
It does not shout.
It shines.
Prayer for Faithful Witness
Lord Jesus,
You were misunderstood, rejected, and questioned—
yet You remained faithful to the Father’s will.
Teach us to walk that same path with humility and courage.
When Your Church is criticized,
help us respond not with anger, but with love.
Not with fear, but with truth.
Not with division, but with grace.
May we honor Your Body in the Eucharist,
cherish Your Word in Scripture,
and uphold the sacred tradition handed down through the ages.
Let our witness be steady,
our devotion sincere,
our faith radiant and quiet—like a light that does not shout, but shines.
Amen.
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