Aug 25, 2018

21st Sunday: "Lord, to whom shall we go?"



"Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."


John 6: 60-69

Our Gospel this Sunday, as we close our reflections on the Holy Eucharist according to John the Evangelist, bring us to a very crucial question that must have caused Jesus great anxiety and disappointment.  He has completed his commentary on what seemed like a great scandal to his disciples (not the twelve) about his literal desire that, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.”

He was not speaking metaphorically but literally. The early Christians saw in this the words of the Spirit, which Jesus refers to this week, and they knew that the bread they broke together and the wine they shared was truly Christ in their midst.  The same is true for us.  Yet, the crowds around Jesus, as we hear this Sunday, took his words only in an earthly sense.  They said: “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

Jesus then explains that his words are Spirit and life.  That his words are inviting those who hear them to see a new, spiritual reality where God has entered our fallen world, raised it up, and now dwells among us in the true spiritual presence of the Eucharist, under signs of bread and wine.  In one sense it is not there for us to fully understand, it is mystery, but for us to be grateful and humbled by our Lord’s profound act of mercy.

Still, sadly, “many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.”  In desperation he turns to his own trusted twelve and asks if they also want to leave.  Peter, on behalf of the group states essentially, “Where else can we go? You have words of promise, hope and eternal life.”

Will you leave me too?  Many these days have been shaken by the shocking news referring to a Grand Jury report from Pennsylvania concerning the violation of the innocent children and youth by several hundreds of priests who abused them sexually over a span of seventy years!  My stomach turns at the thought of such a thing.  I feel righteous anger; anger in the face of deep injustice, abuse of power, shame, the suffering of the innocent.  I am confused and feel I want to just hide as a priest who has, not been perfect, but has always tried my best to be faithful. I share with you such feelings and I know my brother priests feel the same. Although these Pennsylvania cases are old cases, not new ones being reported, they still call us to repentance, prayer and conversion. Why it took so long to report these cases from the 1950's on forward is a mystery. 

In addition we are well aware that a now former (thankfully) Cardinal of the Church had been involved in a cover up and egregious behavior with youth and seminarians for a span of years where he engaged in homosexual activity and clearly abused his power and ecclesial authority to gain advantage over the powerless.  This is now a call to the Shepherds, our Bishops, in the Church to begin policing themselves by engaging an outside board to call themselves to task as priests these days have been.  Our Bishop’s the vast majority of whom are faithful shepherds, must face the truth that some among them have strayed far away from the spirit of the Apostles and allowed evil to spread. It’s all sickening and a horrendous indication of evil, sinful and criminal behavior of the past that has now come to light. Such behavior has no place in the life of the Church and absolutely can never be offered to destroy the lives of the innocent ever again!

Many have suffered because of this but no class of folks have suffered greater than the former children/youth now adults who were victimized.  As our Holy Father put it eloquently in his recent “Letter to the People of God”: “Crimes that inflict deep wounds of pain and powerlessness, primarily among the victims, but also in their family members and in the larger community of believers and nonbelievers alike. . . The pain of the victims and their families is also our pain, and so it is urgent that we once more reaffirm our commitment to ensure the protection of minors and of vulnerable adults . . .”

To heal the sick, raise the dead, bring comfort to the afflicted, to gather the lost and rejected is at the heart of Jesus’ public ministry.  This is the mission he has entrusted to his Church of which we are all members.  And so, we must and will continue to invite the wounded to healing and comfort.  In response, the Church already has and will continue to do much more to create a culture in which this will never, absolutely never happen again.  Our Bishop’s now have this directly in their hands and it is only right that our Shepherds be accountable for their Episcopal ministry. 

In the end, what can we do? “To whom shall we go?” So much ink has been used, public speeches made, articles written on the “mea culpa” the Church must do and the actions that are presently being designed from the Pope on down. 

Let’s not forget that the Good News that Christ brought us is still the same good news that must be preached and lived.  What has happened is NOT the mission of the Church, it is NOT what Jesus commissioned the Apostles to do, it is NOT what the Priesthood or the Order of Bishop is about, and it certainly is NOT why Jesus died and rose to save us!

All must stay to be part of the renewal of the Church.  To support and pray for the thousands of good and faithful priests and good Bishops among us.  Christ is allowing his Church to be purified and we can only help by our faithfulness to bring that about fully. 

God is love indeed and in the midst of what might seem defeat we must see victory and hope.  That is the Christian message and it is why Jesus came.  The Evil One is the only one who is rejoicing at this, the signs of his work are clear, still we know that he has lost.  Follow Christ, stay in his Church, be part of the solution, and see that there is still much goodness, love, and life around us. 

Purification is not easy, it can be painful, but we too must reach out to the suffering for that is always our number one priority.  One sign of concrete hope that indicates to me the continued work of the Holy Spirit in the midst of this is the several calls I’ve gotten these past two weeks from various people desiring to come back to the Church after a long absence.  They feel this is the time to return! I am somewhat amazed and grateful that the work of the Holy Spirit is so active so soon.

Yes, they want to return, not run away!  At the same time, we have for this Archdiocese ten new seminarians this year.  That’s not just a trickle from a team who feels defeated. 

“The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.”  Jesus is calling us to surround with compassion the suffering victims of this darkness but to also bring light and hope to our world. 

God always wins in the end and we are privileged to be members of his community. 

"Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:
Lord, have mercy

Christ Jesus, you forgave sinners: 
Christ, have mercy

Lord Jesus, you gave yourself to heal us
and bring us strength: 
Lord, have mercy" 

May almighty God, have mercy on us, 
heal the suffering innocent victims, 
forgive us our sins, 
and bring us to eternal life.


Aug 21, 2018

Pope Francis speaks:

As often with any leaders, who sincerely struggle with the right words to say, Pope Francis' letter to God's people in regards to the most recent issue on clergy sexual abuse holds great weight.  It is not the complete or final statement by any means and it is now time for action.  Much good has already been done in many areas in order to address this issue but more can, and we pray, will be done for the good of all, for the healing of the innocent who have suffered, and for the unity of the Church of Christ. Transparency and accountability I think are two very essential factors that need to be established here. Surely Bishops need to be held to the same standard as priests and I have no doubt, in light of recent Episcopal commentary, they rightly will be. 

Historically, we all know this is not the first darkness to come over the Church.  Yet, we don't live in the 13th, 16th or any other century but now.  Now is our time to, in a united way, address and heal all who are in need of reconciliation and healing.  Feel free of course, to take a look at Pope Francis statement and prayerfully consider what can each of us do to continue our path towards healing.  The Good news of Christ is still the Good news.  God be with us and may his Mother Mary be our source for compassion and justice.  Peace to you.


Pope Francis letter to the People of God: