Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 6/30/2006

Question
I've been hearing a lot lately from fundamentalists about having a "relationship" with Jesus. My first reaction was that that concept is a very new and nebulous kind of touchy-feely American term that could mean anything. It's enough that we have faith (through grace) in Jesus' words and obey His commandments (good works) so that we are saved. My "relationship" with Him consists of worship through prayer and the tendency of my heart to do His will rather than my own. However, a few verses were pointed out to me which do seem to indicate a new kind of relationship to God than that enjoyed under the Old Covenant. They talk about a relationship between friends or between a parent and child rather than one between a master a slave. What exactly do these mean? John 15:15 (I know longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.)
1 Cor 1:9 (God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord).
Rom 8:14 (For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit itself bears witness that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him)

Answer
dear Winston
Jesus is Lord and Savior!! is the holy creed of the Church, which we confess at every Mass and celebration of the Sacraments.
 Everyone has a relationship with the Lord,some are more active in living and celebrating the grace of it. As Children of the Father and members of the Household of Faith, we are saved indeed by the grace of life, merited by the acts of Christ as the Lamb of our Redemption.
 What fundamentalist tend to forget we are to grow in wisdom and grace before our loving Father. Our growth is shown by our works and increase in Faith. Our loving Father will reward us accordingly but that if we enter into our Heavenly home as we are called to.
   I am in the process of writting an article on this subject, for a friends web site. Write me in about a week I can send you a copy. It will be load with scripture and more details, that show the difference between "fundamentalist" and Catholicism on this vital issue of doctrine.

 your servant in Christ
         george