Enduring To The End
On New Advent today is a link to an Italian newspaper's allegations that there is "evidence of a homosexual network within the Vatican" and that "some Vatican officials were subject to blackmail."
There are four possibilities:
First, the story has been made up by the Italian newspaper to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Second, the story has been made up by someone in the Vatican to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Third, the story has been made up by someone unassociated with either the newspaper or the the Vatican to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Fourth, the story is true and has been leaked by an untrustworthy member of the Vatican staff to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Regardless of what the truth is, there are four important lessons for us here.
First, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
Second, since all have sinned, then like us, even those in the ordained priesthood are sinners.
Third, it is a profound mystery that the all-holy, spotless Body of Christ on earth is led by and composed of sinful men in need of redemption. Yet, as we are all sinners, we must forgive each other and pray for each other, especially our bishops and priests and those who lead us.
Fourth, we must continue to be obedient to the Spirit of Christ, which animates, leads, and protects the Church and to those whom he appoints as the leaders of the Church. This is Christ's Church and we must trust that even from the worst tragedies and scandals, He will bring even greater good. After all, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come" (John 16:13)
"And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:10-13).
Stay close to Christ and persevere to the end. It will be worth it.
There are four possibilities:
First, the story has been made up by the Italian newspaper to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Second, the story has been made up by someone in the Vatican to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Third, the story has been made up by someone unassociated with either the newspaper or the the Vatican to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Fourth, the story is true and has been leaked by an untrustworthy member of the Vatican staff to force the Vatican into some kind of action.
Regardless of what the truth is, there are four important lessons for us here.
First, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
Second, since all have sinned, then like us, even those in the ordained priesthood are sinners.
Third, it is a profound mystery that the all-holy, spotless Body of Christ on earth is led by and composed of sinful men in need of redemption. Yet, as we are all sinners, we must forgive each other and pray for each other, especially our bishops and priests and those who lead us.
Fourth, we must continue to be obedient to the Spirit of Christ, which animates, leads, and protects the Church and to those whom he appoints as the leaders of the Church. This is Christ's Church and we must trust that even from the worst tragedies and scandals, He will bring even greater good. After all, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come" (John 16:13)
"And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:10-13).
Stay close to Christ and persevere to the end. It will be worth it.
Well said Brother.
ReplyDeleteAnd although I don't know this particular sin of which you speak of above - I do know the sin of the flesh - as a pastor. We are held to a higher standard as pastors and priests. However, we must be careful to not eliminate too quickly lest we leave the priesthood exhausted and depleted - thereby leaving the Church rutterless,
I believe we need to treat each case individually so as to not defrock those among the priesthood who are truly penitent sinners. For in throwing the proverbial blanket over all we will lose great leaders of the Church (e.g. Abraham - Moses - David - Peter - etc.).
So as you have said let us act in all Christian love and forgive our brothers who seek confession and absolution and admonish them - as did the LORD - to, "go and sin no more."
Pax,
Ray