Why do I say that we cannot have salvation individually but depend upon each other to reach our destination?
Could we have salvation if it was not for the God-Man Jesus? Could we have salvation if it was not for the Virgin Mary? Could we have salvation if it was not for the apostles? Could we have salvation if it were not for men writing down their inspired thoughts?
How did we learn of Jesus? Was it not by other people? What about our Baptism? Did we not get baptized by reason of the faith of our parents or hearing of the need to be baptized from other people? Do we not depend upon the Pope and the bishops? Do we not depend upon the priests to validly turn bread and wine into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ?
Do we not depend upon the Catholic Church as a whole for our salvation? Do we not depend upon each other for prayers? Is this not the big part of loving one’s neighbor as himself? Is this not because we love God? Do we not depend upon God working through man for our salvation? As an individual, can any of us say that we have obeyed all commandments that are necessary? Or, do we depend upon the Catholic Church as a whole to obey the commandments and be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect? We can go to hell as individuals; but, in order to arrive at our heavenly destination, we must depend upon each other.
--Tommy Turner
This theological reflection courtesy of the parishioners of St Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola, Florida: stpaulcatholic.net
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