Authenticity

As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the Scribes who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces” (Mark 12:38).

            When I was in High School, I had a classmate who wanted to be everyone’s friend. Every time he talked to you he would mention your good qualities. Yet, when he talked to an individual who disliked you, he would ridicule your faults. At first I found this person irritating because you couldn’t trust him. Later, I began to feel sorry for him because his desire to be liked by everyone stopped him from being an authentic person. It was like he was playing a role in a play instead of simply being himself.

            In this text from Mark, Jesus warns his followers about religious individuals who appear holy on the outside yet are not on the inside. By doing so, he gives them an essential lesson about being an authentic disciple.

            Scribes were scholars who transmitted and interpreted the Jewish Law. They insured the Law remained a central part of Judaism after the Babylonian Exile and as it expanded beyond the boundaries of Israel. Since these individuals acquired a wide range of knowledge, both religious and secular authorities respected them. During Christ’s lifetime, they usually associated with the Pharisees who supported a broader application of the Law in the lives of ordinary Jews and relied on their expertise for this purpose. With their specialized and useful knowledge, Scribes held an important place within Jewish society and acquired wealth, social status and influential allies. As Jesus noted, this meant they received respectful greetings in the marketplace as well as places of honour in Synagogues and at banquets. Although in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament some Scribes were role models of piety, like Eleazar who chose death rather than idolatry, the example provided by many of their successors appeared hypocritical. Their knowledge of the Law became a means of advancement for themselves rather than God or the people they taught. Their conduct was a sharp contrast to the widow who donated a small amount to the Temple treasury. The inner motivations of the Scribes revealed by their actions indicated their outward expressions of piety were inauthentic: they played a role and were not themselves. In contrast, the widow was herself, a poor and powerless individual, when she placed all she had in the treasury.

            This Covid 19 Pandemic has certainly been a test of authenticity for many people. Some individuals who say in public how important it is to follow the Public Health Guidelines to stop the spread of the virus then violate them in private. Other people who pride themselves on being for law and order disobey the regulations because they infringe on their freedom. There are also individuals who talk about how Personal Support Workers are essential to look after the elderly in Long Term Care Homes during this pandemic but oppose efforts to pay them a decent wage. Catholics and other people of faith understand the challenges of being an authentic person. The beliefs they profess call them to live in a certain way. Yet, they continually fail to do so. At times they are tempted to play the role of a disciple: pray daily, do acts of charity and go to Church on Sunday, without becoming one themselves. The charge laid against them of being inauthentic or hypocritical by others is sadly often true. However, our faith challenges us to take a hard look at ourselves regularly. For Catholics, the Examination of Conscience is usually a good tool for this purpose. We remember we are like the widow in today’s Gospel: poor and powerless. We can do nothing on our own and so depend upon God for everything. We cannot change a lot in the world around us; but we can change ourselves. We can abandon the role we have been playing and start being ourselves. When we do so, we will discover our authentic self is far more likeable than any character we played in the past and a more credible witness to our faith.

            Since High School I have met many individuals who remind me of my classmate. I wish I could get them to realize they don’t need to play a role in life: they were created in the image and likeness of God. They are fine just the way God made them: their authentic self.

November 7, 2021

Assumption

Mary said, “For (God) has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).

            Some time ago, I was talking with a man who had expressed a desire to become a Roman Catholic. One area of concern for him was the Church's teachings about Mary. "I come from an Evangelical Protestant background", he said, "where my personal relationship with Jesus is the basis of my faith. In addition, everything I believe is found in the Bible. Many Catholics I know spend a lot of time talking about Mary and some of what they say, like the Assumption of Mary, cannot be found in the Bible”. The observations this man shared with me are similar to the ones I have heard from many Catholics and non-Catholics alike. They reveal the importance of properly explaining our Church’s teachings about Mary, like the Assumption.

            Luke’s account of Mary’s reaction (called the Magnificat) to Elizabeth’s revelation of the former’s role in God’s saving plan for humanity provide some insights into the Church’s Marian doctrines.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament the vindication of the righteous took place both before and after death. The Jews who remained faithful to the Covenant were vindicated by their return to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. Those killed by the Greeks because of their fidelity to the Jewish Law during the Maccabean persecutions were rewarded by God following their deaths. At the end of time, the Book of Daniel recorded the righteous were raised to eternal life while the unrighteous were condemned to shame and everlasting contempt. There were also certain righteous individuals like Enoch and Elijah who ascended directly into heaven. Clearly, the righteous were vindicated in ordinary and extraordinary ways both before and after death.

            Within the Magnificat are details which help complete the picture of Mary’s unique role in God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. Earlier in the Annunciation Story, the angel Gabriel called Mary “favoured one” (sometimes translated “full of grace”). As the one who was to carry Jesus in her womb for nine months, Mary was intended to be a perfect vessel who would prevent any contact between sin and her son. It is from this Scriptural passage the teaching that Mary was preserved from any corruption caused by Original Sin at her Conception (called the Immaculate Conception) is derived. Since death was a consequence of Original Sin, Mary’s life would end (she was human and not divine) but not with a death like other sinful individuals, which would include bodily decay, but direct entry into heaven similar to that of Enoch and Elijah found in the Scriptures. It was the result of her righteousness. In the text, Mary recognizes this special status was because God “looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant”. It was not something she deserved or earned but a grace. The faithful would recognize this favour for “all generations” (it has been taught by the Church since earliest times). Mary’s role in God’s plan was not only to be the mother of Jesus but also the model for disciples who sought to serve God in any capacity.

            For Catholics and non-Catholics alike, it is essential to understand how the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary helps to build a stronger personal relationship with Jesus. When she agreed to carry Christ in her womb, Mary likely had no idea how events would unfold. How would her family, friends and Joseph react? How would her child be “Son of the Most High” as revealed by the angel Gabriel or “my Lord” as Elizabeth stated? What would happen after he grew up? There is no indication she had answers to any of these questions. During Christ’s earthly mission, Mary likely worried about her son and according to John’s Gospel, she was present at his first miracle at Cana and his crucifixion. She was also present in the early Church after his resurrection. Since Mary was fully human, she had no special powers. Mary simply trusted in God, offered all she had to him and remained committed to her son and his mission throughout her life. The result of her righteousness was direct entry into eternal life. Although the faithful, unlike Mary, are born with Original Sin, they can use her as a model for developing a deeper personal relationship with Jesus by trusting in him, offering all they have to him and remaining committed to him and his mission on earth. Their entry into eternal life may not be direct, as was the case with Mary, but their final destination is the same. In addition, the special grace granted Mary shows how highly God regards the human condition. Belief in the Assumption of Mary is thus a central part of our Catholic tradition.

August 15, 2020

Ascension

 “And teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

             Some time ago, I celebrated Mass for a community in a shantytown in Lima, Peru. While I have celebrated Mass in some inspiring places before, like the Church of the Holy Sepulture in Jerusalem or the Basilica in Lourdes, the one which occurred on that flat patch of mud encircled by shacks built from scrap wood and metal remains present in my mind every time I offer Mass because it taught me the true meaning of the Celebration. Such experiences illustrate to me how even when we are physically separated from an event, God still makes its meaning present to us.

            In this passage from Matthew, Jesus tells the Eleven he will remain with them for the rest of time. By doing so, he discloses his continued presence in the Church following his Ascension into heaven.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, there are two stories of important spiritual leaders ascending into Heaven. In the Book of Genesis, after his son Methuselah was born, God “took” Enoch which was interpreted by Sirach as meaning he ascended into Heaven. According to the Second Book of Kings, after Elijah commissioned Elisha as his successor, he ascended to Heaven in a whirlwind. Both stories have a person physically transferred from Earth to Heaven without any mention of death as part of the process. These accounts also happen after Enoch and Elijah have someone to assume their role in the unfolding of God’s plan. Both Ascension Stories make clear how death places no limits on God’s power to bring individuals to Heaven or remain present on Earth.

            Although Matthew’s Gospel has no description of the Ascension of Jesus, his story of the Commissioning of the Eleven is the last time the Disciples encounter the Risen Christ and begins the next phase in the revealing of God’s plan. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus completed his work on earth by redeeming the sins of Humanity and making known the reality of Eternal Life. By ascending into Heaven, Jesus returns to his proper place in glory beside the Father. Yet, only a few people witnessed these events. God’s plan is for all humans to learn about their salvation. For this reason, the Church is given the Mission to make disciples and baptize them. Throughout this next stage in the unfolding of God’s plan, Jesus remains present on earth through the Church and the Holy Spirit guiding it.

            Ascension is the time when we become aware of how things can remain present even when circumstances change dramatically. A tree can endure a harsh winter; lose an important branch to disease or a lightning strike and survive a hot summer with little rain and yet the following spring is a sign of life in the forest. Similarly, Jesus remains present in our world through the Church despite the attacks against it, divisions which weaken it and the indifference of many of its members. The Sacraments he instituted remind the Church that its bond with him remains unbroken even after his return to heaven. The Sacred Writings about him do not supply it with stories of a past event but guidance about living out his teachings in today’s world. The mission it has received from him is not a human enterprise designed to make the world a better place but the fulfillment of the divine plan. The Church has become the sign Christ is present on earth when new members are welcomed into it through the Sacrament of Baptism and provided with guidance about how Christ’s teachings are to be obeyed.

One way to develop a greater sense of seeing Christ’s presence in our world is through Aspirative Prayer. These are short devotions which connect what we are doing at that moment with him. For example, each time we get into the car, we can ask Christ to give us a safe journey. Whenever we stop for a coffee and doughnut at Tim Horton’s, we can express thanks for a few moments of quiet during a busy day. Every morning we see a beautiful sunrise; we can stop and wonder at God’s creation. These experiences remind us of how he is present in our daily lives in the little things that most people overlook. Through Aspirative Prayer, we can remain constantly aware of how he guides and protects us. By our example, these devotions also enable us to fulfill our mission to lead others to Christ. Let us use Aspirative Prayer to make God’s presence better known to our world.

May 21, 2023

Diversity

 “Amazed and astonished, the crowd asked, ‘Are not these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?” (Acts 2:7-8).

             When I was on my Sabbatical in Toronto, most days I used to catch the bus on St. Clair Avenue which would take me to Warden Station where I would get on the Subway and get off at Bay Station in order to go to class. One day, after getting on the bus, I looked around at my fellow passengers and noticed I was the only white person on it. I want to make it clear I had no problem with this situation (and still don’t). I felt perfectly comfortable. In a sense that bus was a microcosm of our multicultural country. The other thing I noticed was how everyone was doing typically “Canadian” things. A couple of Middle Eastern looking women in hijabs were chatting with each other. Some Philipino men were drinking their Tim Horton’s coffee. Some African looking high school students were scrolling through their phones. A Korean man was listening to music on his headphones. Now I realize racism, sexism and Islamophobia are serous problems in our country which must be addressed. Everyone on the bus (except me) had likely encountered it recently. Yet, somehow despite our differences, there seemed to be no tension on the bus except our concern to get to work or school on time. The experience taught me a lesson about diversity.

            Luke’s account of the crowd’s reaction to the disciples speaking in different languages indicates that diversity is not a foreign concept to the Church. The crowd consisted of people from all around the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. The disciples were all from Galilee which meant they spoke Aramaic and maybe some Hebrew. They likely had little formal education beyond some rudimentary religious formation. Yet, here they were talking about some serious religious topics to an international crowd. Their message was the same: the prophecies of Joel were fulfilled through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, a descendant of David and the promised Messiah. Yet, the medium by which this message was communicated was the diverse languages which were understood by members of every group. Diversity was not a problem but the means by which the Good News could be passed on by these individuals to the members of their communities back home. This meant more people would hear it sooner.

            Diversity is a word which has become less fashionable over the past few years. It is often associated with “political correctness” and imposing a view of the world on people against their will. Uniformity is much more convenient and efficient. When everyone prays in one language (English, Latin or whichever one is chosen), celebrates liturgy in one style or follows one set of devotions, life is simpler. Yet, that is not what God chose to do at Pentecost. He could have made everyone speak the same language but showed how unity in what is important (doctrine) could be achieved through diversity in what was less important (language). There may be a lesson in this story for us. In addition, uniformity is an exercise of power. Who decides which language is used, how the Mass is celebrated or which devotions are promoted? Of course, there are certain things which are non-negotiable: like bread and wine being used when celebrating the Eucharist. Yet, the Church is changing. For most of its history, it has been dominated by thinking associated with Europe and North America. Its center of gravity is now shifting to other parts of the world. Over the next decades and centuries, new ideas from Africa, Asia and South America will no doubt influence the Church’s thinking. Within Canada, individuals from these parts of the world compose larger portions of most parishes and in some cases have their own parish communities. As long as the essential doctrines and practices are preserved, diversity may enable the Church to connect with the lives of ordinary people throughout the world in a more effective way. We may witness a new Pentecost when people unfamiliar with Christ may listen to our message.

            As I learned that day on the bus, diversity is part of daily life. The question is how do we respond to it. As Catholics, we can flee from diversity in fear and hide within our own particular group which speaks the same language, worships in the same manner and practices the same devotions or we can embrace it becoming comfortable learning from and co-existing with those who may do things differently while sharing the same faith. The choice is ours.

June 8, 2025