Mercy

Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little (Luke 7:47).

            When I was growing up, the Sacrament of Confession frequently seemed unfair to me. A person is good for a long time, makes a single mistake and then must go to Confession. Someone else does a lot of really bad things, goes to Confession and becomes the same, in God’s eyes, as the first individual. As time passed, I realized the reason for Confession was not to judge people but remind them of God’s mercy.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus teaches Simon the Pharisee the sign a woman who has committed many sins was forgiven is the love she shows others. By doing so, he highlights the power of God’s mercy on the lives of people.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament mercy was the Divine characteristic which tempered God’s punishing wrath and fearful judgment. It was experienced in how God reacted to the needs of petitioners and human suffering. Mercy was not directed towards some future time but the relief of distress in the present. In the Second Book of Samuel, David is confronted about his sin of Adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. God’s initial response was to inflict violence upon the family of David. However, when David confessed his guilt and expressed contrition for his sins, God’s mercy was shown: his life will be spared. While David’s life was threatened by the rebellion led by his son Absalom, he remained king until his natural death. God’s mercy insured the promise made to David that Israel would be ruled by his House was not lost because of his sin. It relieved David’s apprehension and gave Israel Political stability.

            Luke’s account of Christ’s conversation with Simon the Pharisee highlighted the impact of God’s mercy on the lives of sinners. Simon likely saw himself as someone who was righteous most of the time but occasionally committed sin. For this reason, his need for God’s mercy was diminished. Since Jesus preached a great deal about the need for God’s mercy, Simon’s reception of him at the dinner was unresponsive. By contrast, the woman who bathed Christ’s feet with her tears and anointed them with ointment was a known sinner. She knew her need for God’s mercy was great and must have heard from Jesus how God extended it to her. Although the others at the dinner probably disapproved of her presence, she came to express her thanks anyway. Those who perceived how common sin was in ordinary life and their inability to overcome it appreciated the power of God’s mercy and made it the source of their joy.

            Christ’s instruction about mercy conflicts with certain attitudes found within our Society. Whenever a terrible crime happens, public opinion demands the offender be caught and punished severely. Fear and shock frequently overpower how people view the situation. These feelings are intensified when the perpetrator is dehumanized in the media. Yet, there are innocent individuals who are wounded by such attitudes. The family or friends of the offender may have done nothing wrong but are usually subjected to an intense scrutiny of the faults in their private life. Although Justice must be done, the manner in which it is achieved is also important. Mercy requires people to remember no one loses their Human dignity because it comes from God. It may be difficult to show mercy at times like that but it has always taken a strong faith to be a Catholic. Each person is a sinner and in need of God’s mercy. This fact is the great leveler of human beings. Those who grasp this truth do not begrudge it when God’s mercy is shown to others and might be better able to show compassion to those who hurt them when the opportunity happens.

            Among the ways Catholics can better grasp the role of mercy in their Spiritual lives is to engage in the Corporal Works of Mercy (feed the hungry; shelter the homeless; clothe the naked; visit the sick and imprisoned as well as bury the dead). Many individuals see these acts of charity as valuable because they ease the suffering of others. Yet, their ability to cause those doing them to become more aware of the need to show mercy is equally crucial. Christ’s dying on the Cross is the ultimate sign of God’s mercy towards us. For this reason, his Disciples are called to extend mercy towards others in their daily lives. Human comparisons of sinfulness are meaningless. The Corporal Works of Mercy remind Catholics of the practical ways in which they live out this part of their Spiritual lives. Let our involvement in the Corporal Works of Mercy show we understand the impact of God’s mercy on our own lives.

            As I recognized growing up, everyone is equal in God’s eyes in their need for his mercy. Although each of us should strive to avoid sin and live a holy life, the number and gravity of sins one commits does not influence God’s desire to be merciful. It is the greatest sign of his love for us.

 

June 12, 2016

Apostolicity

Jesus said to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19).

            When I was studying at the Seminary, one of my classmates had a unique Spiritual Life. His inability to wake up early meant he was often late for Morning Prayer. While my classmate spent hours learning how to serve Mass, he usually forgot when the chalice was required at the Offertory. Yet, when someone needed help with a project, he was the first to offer assistance. If anyone began to get uneasy about papers or exams he would always find time to listen. Although the external signs of his Spiritual Life needed work, we never doubted his basic goodness which gave him a kind of authority which others respected.

            In this passage from Matthew, Jesus gives Peter the authority to make binding decisions on Spiritual matters for the Church. By doing so, he gives leadership in the Church to someone whose humanity is flawed but still worthy of respect.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, Elders played an essential leadership role within Jewish Society. Their collective experience and wisdom was respected by others. In the Book of Numbers, Moses appointed seventy Elders to relieve his burden of leadership while the Israelites were in the Desert. Later, these individuals established Councils in many communities which supplied advice on issues or handled a crisis. They served as Judges in family matters like: the punishment of a defiant son; the protection of a young woman’s reputation; or the application of the Levirate Marriage Law. Elders also joined in Liturgical Celebrations such as the offerings made for the sins of the entire Community. With their experience and insight gained over many years and the belief they were directed by God Elders had the authority to exercise a leadership role among the Jewish people despite their personal limitations.

            Matthew’s account of Christ’s commissioning of Peter revealed how the Human insight and experience of the Apostles was fortified by God. As one of the earliest Disciples, Peter had witnessed the Teachings and Miracles of Jesus. His response to the question about the identity of Christ recognized Jesus as the Messiah and not a forerunner like most Jews at the time. However, Peter was reminded his reply resulted from a revelation from God and not just human reasoning. Christ then called Peter the rock upon which the Church was built. Yet, in the following passage Peter is rebuked by Jesus for not accepting the need for the crucifixion. Later, during the Passion, Peter will deny knowing Jesus three times. Clearly, he is a flawed character. But Christ does not withdraw Peter’s authority. The flawed goodness in Peter was enough to maintain his leadership role. Later, this same willingness to overlook a flawed character led the Risen Jesus to transform Paul from a persecutor of the Church into a great Evangelist. Apostles like Peter and Paul played the role of Elders who kept the early Church linked to its Spiritual foundation by their profound but sometimes imperfect insights and experiences which were guided by God’s assistance.

            Today, this apostolic authority resides with Bishops and their assistants the Priests. They provide leadership in the Church by teaching and interpreting doctrines which have been passed on through the generations since the time of Peter and Paul. They insure the proper celebration of the Liturgy and Sacraments which enable Catholics to receive the graces they need to flourish as Faith-filled Disciples. They make decisions about how Pastoral Ministry is conducted and insure the Church is properly governed. They follow in the original Apostle’s footsteps. Yet, like Peter and Paul and the others they have imperfect insights and experiences and are flawed characters. There have been times when they have made bad decisions and shown poor example. After all, they are sinners. But the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has preserved the truth handed down by Jesus. As an institution, the Church has survived many threats and divisions. One of the key characteristics (marks) of the Church is Apostolicity: the belief that the Church’s leadership and authority comes from the Apostles. This quality insures every generation has remained linked to its spiritual roots. However, this passing of the faith on to future generations includes the fact the Church is human institution made up of imperfect leaders. As with Peter and Paul, God takes the limited abilities of Apostles and enables to serve the Church.

            Apostolicity is a tremendous responsibility for those entrusted with the leadership roles in the Church. For this reason, Catholics should pray for their Bishops and Priests. The combination of their insights and experiences along with God’s guidance empowers the Church to continue its mission to spread the Gospel message on earth.

 

June 29, 2019

Apollo 13

When Joseph awoke from sleep he did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him. He took her (Mary) as his wife (Matt. 1:24).

            Most people think of Apollo 13 as a Movie which starred Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon. In April 1970, I lived through the real thing. I have always thought the safe return of the Apollo 13 Astronauts to be the greatest success of American Engineers and Scientists in the Twentieth Century. Just after it had left Earth orbit the side of the Service Module of Apollo 13 was blown out and the people at NASA had to find a way to keep the Astronauts alive and bring them home. Those astronauts has to fly around the Moon before they could return to Earth. They had to solve such problems as: how to stop the increasing concentration of Carbon Dioxide from killing the Astronauts; how to conserve electric power to keep their instruments working; and how to align the spacecraft so it could re-enter the atmosphere. They had to do this with only the items which were on board Apollo 13 and no manual to tell them how to do it. They had to think practically, critically and clearly in order to solve every problem (and there were many). In other words, they had to make it up as they went along. While everyone in the world worried about the Astronauts, the tension in the NASA Control Room must have been extreme. Yet, the Astronauts and NASA Engineers and Scientists enabled Apollo 13 to return to Earth safely.

            In this passage from Matthew, Joseph faced a situation for which he was unprepared and there was no manual to guide him. His betrothed (Mary) was pregnant and he was not the child’s biological father. The Jewish Law stated a Divorce was required because their relationship was violated. Joseph was an honourable man and knew what he had to do. Then the Angel revealed to him all of this was part of God’s Plan. Imagine what Joseph must have thought after receiving this news. Was what the Angel said true or an illusion? If he remained with Mary, how could the situation be explained to family and friends? What was meant when the Angel said people would be saved from their sins by this child? What else was Joseph to do as part of God’s plan? He was faced with a situation for which he was totally unprepared, his support system was imperfect and likely unreliable and the end result was unknown. What was in store for him in the future? From now on, he was going to have to make it up as he went along.

            Our current situation with Covid 19 is a lot like the one faced by Joseph and the NASA Engineers. We do not know how many individuals will be infected or die from the virus. We do not know if all the efforts to “flatten out the curve” will make much difference in preventing the spread of the virus. We do not know if the limited Medical resources we have will be enough to care for all the sick people. We do not know if the glue keeping our society together will hold if things get really bad. Yet, what we do know is if we get through today, there will be a tomorrow.

            What our situation calls for is innovation and creativity. We need to do things differently from now on. We will have to make it up as we go along. We need to do that in how we look at Covid 19 and how we treat others. The Catholic Church is not always associated with innovation and creativity. However, when cities began to grow across Europe, St. Dominic and St. Francis of Assisi founded their Religious Communities to respond to the situation. There was no book on how to serve people in urban settings so they wrote one. Later, when the Black Death (Bubonic Plague) killed around forty per cent of the people in Europe between 1348 and 1351 the Church was still able to care for the sick (To put that in relative terms imagine if about 10,000 people in Thorold died in the next three years). When corruption and abuses threatened to ruin the Church in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance Period, changes were implemented to set things right. In all of these cases: the problems were many; past experience provided almost no guidance; and the resources available to alter things were limited. Yet, through innovation and creativity a new way forward was found.

            What does that mean for us today? There are Priests who are celebrating daily Mass and Live-Streaming it on the Internet as the Bishop will do on Sundays and during Holy Week. It is possible to check on the vulnerable and maintain social distancing by telephone and dropping off whatever they need at the door. People can still come to Holy Rosary Church and pray for God’s help during these difficult times. They can also bring to the Church some toilet paper so the St. Vincent DePaul Society can insure the individuals they serve do not run out. Finally, members of the Parish can put their Offertory Envelopes through the slot in the Parish Office door to insure there will be enough money to pay for the heat, hydro and other bills that will arrive in the next few months.

            The challenges we face in the next weeks and months are immense. However, we should not worry if we have to make it up as we go along; we have done it before.

March 19, 2020

Anti-Semitism

Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matt. 27:25).

            When I was a boy, I had a friend who attempted to get the best possible deal whenever he bought something. One time my friend thought he had outsmarted the owner of a Second Hand Goods Store when he purchased an old radio for a bargain price. The radio worked fine but had a very limited range. “That old man jewed me”, he said angrily when he realized his deal was not so great. Although we both knew the store owner was not Jewish, that expression was commonly used at that time to portray Jews as people who took advantage of others in Business.

            In this passage from Matthew, some Jews seemly take responsibility for Christ’s Death. By doing so, they provide a pretext for the Anti-Semitism which the Church is still struggling to overcome today.

            Within the New Testament, numerous texts have been used by Christians to justify hatred towards Jews. Some of these passages accuse the Jewish people of murdering Jesus while others are a response to their rejection of the Gospel. Yet, these texts were written by Jews who grasped the unique role their people played in God’s Saving Plan. Since early Christians saw themselves as within, rather than apart from, the Jewish People, these passages likely reflected the intensity of a debate which occurred within that Community, similar to the harsh words used by many Old Testament Prophets. As Christ’s followers experienced greater persecution from other Jews, their response grew more hostile. Since these texts were the product of a specific historical time, they should not be associated with the Gospel Message.

            During Holy Week the differences between Christian and Jewish Beliefs are made clear. Even Jews who appreciate the Moral and Spiritual Teachings of Jesus do not accept him as the Messiah and Savior of the world. Catholics must accept and respect this reality. They must also recognize the death of Jesus was not caused by the Jewish people as a whole but the result of the sins of humanity, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches. Numerous Jewish and Roman Leaders manipulated a crowd of individuals to have Jesus crucified. We cannot hold the Jewish people of today responsible for events which happened 2,000 years ago. Catholics must defend the right of all individuals to profess and practice their Religious Beliefs. They should oppose all actions which stereotype or dehumanize any group of people. One way to accomplish this goal is to think carefully about the language we use when talking about members of other groups. Our words usually say more about us than other groups. As my friend revealed that day, Anti-Semitic remarks can often come without even realizing it.

            Sadly, Anti-Semitism is still common today. The Church has made it clear it goes against Catholic Teaching. All Catholics need to make that doctrine a lived reality in our society.

 

April 7, 2023

Anointing of the Sick

The Apostles cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them (Mark 6:13).

            Some time ago, I was approached by a family whose elderly mother was dying of cancer. When I suggested the woman receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, they responded by saying since she was not dying they would wait. About a week later, her condition took a turn for the worse and she died before I could get to the Hospital. When I arrived they asked me to anoint her but it was too late: the Sacrament is for the living and not the dead. Their story demonstrates how there are still many Catholics who misunderstand the purpose of Anointing of the Sick.

            In this passage from Mark, Jesus commissions his Apostles to do Pastoral Ministry which includes the anointing and healing of the sick. By doing so, he reveals how care for the sick is an important part of the Church’s work.

            During New Testament times, people were anointed with oil for numerous reasons. When athletes prepared for competition, they loosened their muscles through the application of oil. Oil applied to the body (which then evaporated) provided relief from the heat during the hottest parts of the year. As part of the Jewish Burial Rites, the deceased were often anointed with oil. For the sick, oil frequently provided relief from discomfort and was occasionally included as part of the Medical treatment. Since illness was frequently seen as a form of Divine punishment, and certain types of disease (Leprosy, Hemorrhages) made one ritually impure, the connection between the Medical and Spiritual state of an individual was strong. Since the proclamation of the Kingdom of God was a central part of Christ’s Mission (and that of his Apostles), signs associated with its establishment, such as Healings and Exorcisms reinforced the message. When the Disciples were instructed about their Mission, Jesus indicated the importance of these two activities through the delegation of his authority over sickness and Demons. As a visible sign of this Divine power, the ill were anointed with oil. From this instruction developed the Church’s teaching about Ministry to the sick and the Sacrament of Anointing.

            Long before the Covid 19 Pandemic, many Catholics misunderstood the purpose of the Sacrament of Anointing. For some, it was delayed until right before death because it insured the forgiveness of all Sin and immediate entry into Heaven. Families often postponed requesting it for fear it would distress the dying. However, the Church has consistently taught the Sacrament could be repeated as frequently as necessary. Since Vatican II, the Church has stressed it is called the “Sacrament of the Sick” and not the “Sacrament of the Dying.” While not intended for minor ailments, it is appropriate for those undergoing surgery, suffering with serious chronic conditions as well as those who are dying. The purpose of the Sacrament is to assure those who are sick and their families the Church is conscious of their situation and prays for the restoration of health (if possible) and the removal of all Sin and other Spiritual obstacles from the ill. It also reminds the sick their suffering is joined with that of Christ which will bring to them Spiritual Graces. During this Covid 19 Pandemic, many of the ill and their families battle with feelings of loneliness. The Sacrament is one way to respond to this Pastoral need.

            Jesus taught his Disciples care for the sick and anointing them with oil were an important part of their Pastoral Ministry. The Sacrament of the Sick reminds all Catholics the needs of the ill are still a priority today.

July 11, 2021

Church Lady

“In the Temple, there was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher” (Luke 2:36).

            Within every Parish, there are a number of people I like to call “characters.” There is the “fundraiser” who takes charge of any fundraising campaign and always seems able to get people to donate money regardless of the cause. There is the “organizer” who takes charge of all Parish activities and no matter how many difficulties arise, always makes things run smoothly. There is the “youth leader” who comes up with ideas for Parish events for young people and gets them to participate and often run them. And then, there is the “church lady.” She is often an older woman who is waiting each morning when you open the Church and is the last one to leave the Church as you are locking up after Mass. If she is involved in any Parish group it is never in a leadership capacity. Her appearance reveals she is neither a professional nor wealthy. Her behaviour seems a little unusual and she becomes the butt of a few jokes by other parishioners. In some ways, she represents the ordinary people whose Faith is strong but ignored.

            In this passage from Luke, the parents of Jesus encounter Anna, an elderly widow, who has spent most of her life fasting and praying in the Jerusalem Temple. By doing so, she makes a connection between Christ and the people who are simply pious.

            As a widow, Anna would likely have been poor and vulnerable unless protected by her male relatives. Along with orphans, widows were considered especially close to God who heard their cries when they were treated unjustly. Families were expected to include widows in all their activities and support them in their old age. According to the Jewish Law they were permitted to gather unharvested crops from vineyards and grainfields. Like Joseph and Mary, Anna does not seem to have been part of the Religious or Social establishment. Despite her piety, she probably had a limited knowledge of Judaism. All she had to keep her going was her trust in God.

            Anna was probably the “church lady” of her time. It is always easy to recognize the other “characters” I mentioned in a parish. These are the people who make things happen and Parishes need them. After all a Parish does require money to pay the bills. Successfully organized events help build the sense of community which is critical for the health of every Parish. If any Parish is to have a future it must have activities which appeal to and involve young people. Yet, there are people who don’t have the education or skills to contribute much to such activities. What about the people with poor self-esteem and so lack self-confidence. Remember the kid at school who was always slow when learning to read, usually had no friends with whom to play at Recess, was often picked last when choosing teams in Gym or was told by Teacher “you will never amount to anything.” Some of those kids grew up to become the “church lady.”

            People like that often don’t contribute much to a Parish activities but they do have faith and that is their gift to us. Perhaps they know that although others may have given up on them, God has not. As the days, weeks, months, and years pass, they show up in Church to pray (maybe for themselves, their families, their fellow Parishioners or their Pastor), light Votive Candles and bring some Holy Water home. Their Faith is simple but strong. Few Parishioners notice them; many don’t even know their names. But God knows who they are and they come to Church for him.

            During this Pandemic, the individuals who make things happen (Medical Researchers, Doctors, Nurses etc.) are getting a lot of well deserved attention. Yet there many people whose contribution to preventing the spread of Covid 19 will never be recognized like those who wash their hands frequently, wear a mask and social distance. They visit elderly neighbours and listen to their kids talk about their fears. Perhaps the “church lady” can teach them an important lesson. Lasting results only come from doing the right thing for as long as required. Success is measured not by where one is at present or if other individuals are noticing one’s efforts. It demands strong faith which means: trusting in God; full commitment to the effort; and the patience to await the result.

            Anna the “church lady” of her time was rewarded with encountering Christ. The reward  for today’s “church lady’ might be to show us how we can survive Covid 19.

December 30, 2020

Ancestors

An account of the genealogy of Jezus the Messiah, the Son of David, the son of Abraham (Matt. 1:1).

            When I was in High School, the Television Series “Roots” inspired many people to trace their ancestry. As someone who was interested in the stories my older relatives told me about the past, I thought about putting together our “Family Tree”. After I proposed the idea to my father, he warned me: “Be careful”. There will be some branches in our Family Tree that are solid and to which you will want to be attached. Other branches will be weak or rotten and you might wish you never knew about them. His warning reminded me how every family is made up of different kinds of individuals.

            In this passage from Matthew, the Evangelist begins his Gospel with Christ’s genealogy. By doing so, he highlights how the :Family Tree” of Jesus included a variety of ancestors.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament genealogies provided a record of a person’s descent and identity. More than twenty of them were written down and they confirmed the rights and claims of specific individuals and families within Jewish society. These “Family Trees” also helped put into order the various events in Jewish History. Finally, they demonstrated how God’s interventions on behalf of Israel throughout time were a key part of the unfolding Divine plan. A genealogy was often written at a certain point in History to serve a particular purpose. The Book of Chronicles listed Adam’s descendants down to David in an effort to show Israel’s Monarchy was part of God’s plan. When the Jews returned from their Exile in Babylon the lists found in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah aided resettlement and the re-establishment of Religious Leaders.

            Matthew’s account of Christ’s Birth indicated how it connected the History of Israel to a further unfolding of God’s plan. As a descendant of Abraham, who established the Jewish nation and David, who was associated with a future Messiah, Joseph had solid roots in Israel’s History. His acceptance of Mary and her child (conceived by the Holy Spirit) embodied a union between this past and God’s future plan of Salvation for all people. As God acted in former times to form a covenant with Abraham; establish David as King of Israel; reproach the Jewish people for their sins through Exile in Babylon, now Divine action resulted in the birth of a child who would save humanity from its sins. Yet, the earthly family of Jesus was very human: filled with individuals who were great (Solomon) and obscure (Abiud); good (Hezekiah) and evil (Jeconiah).

            Christmas is the Season to consider how Jesus came to draw all kinds of people to God. Many individuals have personally experienced God’s Blessings and desire to give thanks to the source of them. Some people are not satisfied by what our society thinks will make them happy (money, status, power) and are searching for a deeper meaning in their lives. A few individuals experience a terrible suffering in their lives and want relief. Other people have done something bad and wish their shame and guilt would go away. These individuals differ in their nationality, educational background, social status and standard of living. They do not share the same Social, Moral or Religious Beliefs. However, they are the human family into which Jesus entered 2,000 years ago. By becoming one of us Jesus revealed God’s desire to share the burdens and joys of being human in every situation. He also offered everyone the opportunity to experience the peace and joy which results from a closer relationship with God.

            At Christmas we once again encounter an essential event in the unfolding of God’s plan for humanity: the birth of our Savior. Like Christ’s ancestors, our Church consists of numerous kinds of people. There are some who come to Mass each Sunday while others only show up at Christmas and Easter. While there are couples who decide to get married in the Church some opt for a Civil Marriage or are just living together. Many Catholics follow Church Teachings while others ignore them. However, we all have a common need for Redemption from Sin which was the reason for Christ’s Birth. Christmas is a time to recall God’s Love and desire to save us from Sin. It excludes no one regardless of their situation. By becoming part of a very “human” family, Christ showed he was not afraid to establish a very “human” Church. Let us appreciate this gift which God offers us through his Son.

 

December 25, 2019