Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year C
Acts 5.27-32, 40b-41 Psalm 30 Revelation 5.11-14 John 21.1-19
Like the massive cloud of volcanic ash blowing over Europe, the lingering effects of the clergy sex abuse crisis have been hovering over the Church once again in recent weeks. News of the sins – the crimes – the failings – of priests and Church leaders has spread around the globe, and we faithful followers of Christ are faced with a difficult reality and an even more difficult path ahead. Surrounded by reports that are mixed with truth and distortions, it can be hard for us to see where we are going. Consumed by shame and disgrace, we can easily lose heart. And when our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, endures personal attacks and even calls for his removal, many Catholics find themselves disoriented and stuck in the middle of the clouds. Nothing can excuse any form of abuse by anyone; nothing can excuse a cover-up or avoidance of allegations that could cause more children or adults to be put in harm’s way. But, at the same time, nothing can excuse a twisting of the facts or placing blame in the wrong place. In the midst of so much sorrow and confusion, to whom can we go? Where can we turn to find truth, love, strength, and perseverance? Where else, but to Christ himself.
At the very end of John’s gospel, Jesus once more invites Peter and the other disciples to follow him. He’s said this many times before. But this time, they have a better idea where they are going. To follow Christ means to go with him to the poor, the neglected, and the outsiders, as well as the rich, the powerful, and the influential, and to preach the same message of love and grace to them all. To follow Christ means to love as He loves, to be willing to lay down your own life for a friend. To follow Christ means to go with him to Calvary, to be willing to suffer the taunts and jeers and accusations of people who do not understand what you are doing. To follow Christ means being willing to forgive, just as he forgave the denials of Peter and the abandonment of the other disciples. And to follow Christ means to trust in his promise that the road to death is followed by a promised eternal life for those who are true to his name. Everything we do on this life is directed toward that single goal – the joy of heaven. When we fail to preach the gospel, we turn away from heaven. When we fail to love in an authentic way, we turn away from heaven. When we fail to respect the dignity of each person we meet, we turn away from heaven. But when we love, when we forgive, when we sincerely repent for our past failings, when we transform our hearts, then we walk together with Christ into eternity.
Our first task on that journey is to repent. Pope Benedict himself acknowledged that in a homily preached this past Thursday. The sins of a few have damaged all of us who follow Christ; together, we must recognize what is wrong in our lives, open ourselves to forgiveness, prepare to do penance, and allow ourselves to be transformed. We must forsake the past. Then, we must learn the truth – and not be afraid of what the truth is. We must not be overwhelmed by what the media tells us, but look for the complete truth as best we can. One piece of truth that has almost been hidden in recent days is the humble leadership that our Holy Father has used to guide the Church; the record shows that he has led the campaign to acknowledge the failings of priests and bishops and to purify the Church. More than anyone else, he is suffering greatly these days, and we pray that his courageous witness of truth will continue to guide us to Christ. Finally, we must learn day by day how to love. We must learn a type of love that is not about me, but about Christ. When we love God above all else, when we recognize the presence of Christ in every person on earth and love them the same way that we love God himself, when we love our enemies and those who hate us just as we love our friends – then we will be steadily on the path of following Christ and getting away from the cloud of doubt, of despair, and of death. Repent – learn the truth – and love. That is the path of Christ, that is the path to eternity. It is a road that we must walk together as a Church; it is a road that requires honesty and humility and strength. Together, then, if we dare, let us follow Christ.
1 comment:
Today's homily goes very well with the meditation that I prayed with today from a site that I pray with on a regular basis. Father James Swanson LC, in reference to today's Gospel and Jesus asking Peter if he loves him three times wrote, "To be the first Pope, Peter needed a love without limits. That is why Jesus asks him three times: “Do you love me?” He is telling Peter that the qualification for the job is unlimited love. Peter has to have an unlimited love in order to be the rock on which Jesus builds his Church. Jesus is not letting him off the hook. He isn’t giving the job to someone else. (Peter had denied Jesus three times.) Peter has to get that love, just as I have to develop an unlimited love to qualify for the tasks in life that Jesus has given me." This is what our Holy Father Benedict XVI is showing us during these days when the Catholic Church is being attacked in so many ways. Of course my heart goes out to each person who has suffered abuse from the hands of those Church leaders that we are taught to trust, but my heart also goes out to our Holy Father and to the holy priests who are guiding the Church today. I am so grateful for the priests who give their lives to all of us who would so easily lose our way without their guidance. We must repent, seek the truth, and love as Jesus loves us. We all miss the mark as Peter did, but Jesus chose him to lead the Church. Thank you Father Eric for this homily. I felt your suffering as you shared these words with us.
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