7th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C) - RENEW

February 22,2004

by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Throughout the United States and elsewhere, Catholics have been hearing and reading about the sex abuse scandal and the way in which this crisis and these sins have been addressed by Church leadership.

The NCCB of the US put forth a Charter for the protection of children and young people with policies for the proper procedures for dealing with cases of sexual abuse. A National Review Board was appointed to assure the implementation of these policies, with every effort being taken to avoid future abuse.

This week a report will be published at the request of this National Review Board. It is known as the Jay Report compiled by the Jay Institute of Crime Prevention it will give an aggregate total of the number of clergy, the number of victims, and the amount disbursed in relation to this national tragedy. Covering the last half century, the numbers will no doubt be astounding and reopen deep wounds. But hopefully it will be recognized as an instrument to facilitate healing.

Since news reports began appearing, shock waves have rocked the Catholic Church. Many people have strong feelings churning within them of all kinds and varying intensities: sorrowful, anguished, surprised, betrayed, relieved, indignant, depressed, angry, sad, amazed, horrified, disoriented, shaken, powerless, challenged, wondering, disbelieving, disillusioned, frustrated and furious. It seems that no one in the Church was unaffected and many outside the Church were also affected by what came to light.

As Catholics we are facing a time of crisis and a challenge of confidence; but as members of the one mystical Body of Christ the actions of part of the Body affect the whole Body. When one part is ailing and suffering, we all suffer.

None of us can afford to be mere bystanders at this critical time. We are called to live in the compassionate and healing manner of Jesus, to extend a supportive hand to those hurting, confused, or disillusioned. Perhaps the greatest responsibility for each of us is to look to our own lives and meet the challenging call to personal holiness. (Next week we will examine how as a Church we have always been a community of saints and sinners.)

As we prepare for the season of Lent, we find in today’s gospel a Lenten diet to chew on. We must continue to be merciful loving and kind, even to those who are ungrateful and malicious towards us. We must not condemn or judge or it will be measured back in the same measure. Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. This is no easy challenge.

As we look at the reading from Samuel we see an example of this challenge. David had distinguished himself militarily as a youth and found favor in the royal household. He was married to the daughter of King Saul. He was deeply devoted to the king’s son and heir. But Saul mistrusted David as a threat. He pursued him relentlessly and unjustly, intent on destroying him.

David was no saint. Later he would kill one of his best generals because an adulterous affair resulted in conception; but when David finds himself in an opportunity to end the misery of his oppressor, more than once he resisted the opportunity to kill or harm Saul, guided by a force greater than the human desire for retribution and revenge.

In so far as we follow this command, we bear in our own selves the likeness of God who is unconditional love/mercy. The people to whom Jesus addresses these words today are not kings, philosophers or presidents but ordinary people like you and I. Though our hands may itch to pay-back there is no pay-back in Jesus vocabulary: to exact an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth is not his standard. Jesus does not keep ledgers. His business is one of mercy.

When we set out to mend broken relationships there may be some things that are beyond our control. Some may refuse to accept forgiveness or reconciliation, even when we try our best to make amends. This may leave us feeling like victims. Once again we are struck with the pain of unresolved issues; we may be left with negative feelings but Jesus says: If you are willing (the key step of recovery) love your enemies and do good to them.

When we have done our best to make amends for the wrongs that we have done, the situation may not change. Even when we have come to terms with the wrongs that have been done against us, our feelings may not change. But we don’t have to be held captive by our feelings, or the feelings of others. We can choose to forgive and act in loving ways.

Each year during Lent and Holy Week we recall the destruction of hope in the followers of Christ. We imagine the fears and hear the cries of those who loved Him as He is tortured. We do this because we are people of hope, who keep alive in our hearts; that while terrible things can and do happen, resurrection follows.

What rises from the ashes of tragedy depends upon how we face the underlying realities that allowed the tragedy to occur. We must focus on who we are called to be; not merely who we are. Our faith is based on Christ and not on human failure. When we allow ourselves to be discipled by Jesus, then we no longer need to be controlled by other people’s dispositions and actions.

This will free us from being controlled by anyone other than God.