Pastor's Letter 20240901 - 01 September 2024- Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Michael · August 31

September 1^st, 2024

Twenty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time

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Message from Father ^†Michael

Today’s Theme: “Elements of Religion”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(Deuteronomy 4:1-8) For Israel, the Law was a source of pride and a reflection of a wise and intelligent people. Moses urged the people to be faithful to God’s law, without adding to, or subtracting from it. Never intended to express and safeguard the relationship of Israel and Yahweh, the Law was not a burden to be endured, but a source of life and wisdom.

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(James 1:17-27) In this first of five letters, ^†James explained the practical and essential link between faith and love. Nowhere is the path to sanctity so clearly indicated. It is not enough to merely listen to the Word of God; we must put it into practice. By believing and performing actions of Light, and relinquishing the deeds of darkness, Christians can become true children of the Father of heavenly Light.

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(Mark 7:1-23) Jesus told the Pharisees that they have substituted their personal laws for the Law of God (given by Moses;) and are more concerned with outer cleanliness than purity of heart. ^†Mark made clear to Gentile Christians that being followers of Christ does not require them to observe Jewish practices. When one’s perspectives become clouded, vision can be lost and basic principles overshadowed by trivia

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The Human and the Divine Elements of Religion

Upon leaving the safe family setting and going to college, some young intellectuals begin to have doubts about their religion. An agnostic professor may make a sneering remark about “The Good Book;” or, fellow students, though ostensibly Catholic, may show by their behavior they could not care less about religion. Although there are many reasons for such confusion in young minds, one may be that many do not make a distinction between what is from God and what is human in religion.

Many Christian denominations—especially those termed “mega-churches”—have attempted to counter this malaise in youth and adults alike. Some currently offer their congregations worship services replete with technological innovations—lights, sounds, orchestral, video presentations—that rival those of Broadway and the motion picture industry!

While celebration of the Word of God should be a joyful experience, one wonders whether the boundaries between the secular and spiritual elements have been blurred by some of these innovations. Worship should not be simply an entertaining experience; it should both uplifting for our spirits AND guide us to internal holiness.

Basic Christianity is a beautiful way of life, but many people lament the way it is has become institutionalized over the centuries. Many human-made revisions have been added and some of them, undoubtedly, are outdated.

The renewal movement begun by the Second Vatican Council, under Pope ^†John XXIII, was aimed at divesting the Church of human baggage gathered along its journey through history. Naturally, such an undertaking required sound and informed leadership in order not to “throw out the baby with the bath water.” In other words, in the process of “cleaning,” care must be taken not to do away with divine elements.

As the saying goes, Pope ^†John wanted to “open the windows to let in fresh air, not to throw out all the furniture!” All Catholics should update themselves to understand the intentions of his efforts. In this vein, one of my favorite books, written as a memoir, is “My Struggle for Freedom” by the Swiss priest and theologian, ^†Hans Kung. In his “tell-all” book he recounts the migration of the Church away from the tenets of Jesus Christ over the centuries, and outlines the program, which Pope ^†John wanted to initiate and enact at the Council.

^†Kung tells of his upbringing before and after World War II, and how Vatican II was “derailed” after Pope ^†John’s death. A true enlightened thinker, especially for an Italian Pope (family name: Roncalli,) ^†John intended to bring back many of the forgotten things in the “essentials” of our Faith. Also, he wished to eliminate many secular trappings that had crept into Catholicism over the years. Some of his suggestions have seen enacted, since Vatican II. For example, he wanted a more communicative Mass—one in which the people not only understood the Liturgy in their own language, but also in which the congregation would take part in Eucharistic Celebration. Novus Ordo (credited to Pope Paul VI,) was one result, during which the priest faces the people, involving them in the Liturgical Prayers.

However, other changes, clearly delineated in Pope ^†John’s notes, were not even addressed—of particular interest to Old Catholics—such as issues including abolition of priestly celibacy and the elevation of women to the permanent diaconate and ordination to the priesthood, among others. (It’s surprising to many that Holy Scripture reveals these were common roles for women in the early days of the Church.)

Pope ^†Paul VI, continuing the council after ^†John’s untimely death, did bring back the lay deaconate, but he disallowed women, and firmly denounced any discussion of their possible priestly ordination. (In the Old Catholic Church uphold most of the tenets of Vatican II, but going beyond its narrow conclusions, we afford women a full role in ministry.)

Whatever our practice of worship entails, whether the most pious observance of sacred ritual, or as a mere bystander during an orchestrated production, we must be certain that in our heart of hearts we give homage to God with sincerity. It is said that a person with “a good heart” is the most fulfilled individual. A pure heart, full of love, is a stark contrast to an “empty heart,” for it strives to ward off the evil of the world and give love to everyone.

People can be present in church in voice only, so that their worship becomes merely lip-service. And to make matters worse, that voice may not be their ordinary voice. It may be solemn and serious, “put on” especially for Sundays. Such people are no better than answering machines, lacking the most important element, the heart. (With our predilection to texting and voicemail today, the impersonal has taken on new dimension in our communications.)

Our “real presence” is required if our words of worship are to be effective. It is only with a sincere heart that we can speak rightly, and our “presence,” without the heart, is like a fireplace without a fire.

May God Richly Bless You!

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