God desires
that all men know the truth of Jesus Christ. Before He ascended into heaven,
Christ Himself gave the Church a mission, to go and “make disciples of all
nations” (Mt 28:19). Therefore, all Christians must proclaim the truth of the
Gospel, fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, “so that all men can freely
make a decision for Christ” (YOUCAT).
The Gospel
has been transmitted in two ways. It was first transmitted orally by the
Apostles, through their fellowship, their preaching, their teaching, and the guidance
they gave. Second, it was transmitted in writing, under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit.
The latter
we see clearly in the Sacred Scriptures, but the former way is somewhat less
tangible. This is why the apostles appointed bishops as successors, so that
this teaching could be handed on and preserved with authority. Guided by the
Holy Spirit, apostolic succession makes the “living transmission” of the Gospel
possible (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 78). This way, the “Father’s
self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present
and active in the Church,” or as the Catechism
puts it, God is able to continue speaking with the Spouse of His Son (79).
As
Catholics, we accept and honor both Sacred Scripture and Tradition. For “there
exists a close connection and communication” between them, and both, “flowing
from the same divine wellspring, in a certain way merge into a unity and tend
toward the same end” (Dei Verbum, 9). This end is the fruitful transmission of the Word of God in
its entirety throughout the world.
