Good morning. I would like to focus for a moment on the gospel scene and Bartimaeus’ request: Lord, I want to see. With that searching question of the first century, let’s transpose it into the 21st century. What does the Church bring to me, to all of us?
This is the question that I hear more frequently than maybe ten or fifteen years ago. An ecumenical council some forty years ago brought about what has been a major change in our understanding of church. And, consequentially, I believe, has led our practice of religion to a different status. I am not suggesting that we return to the practice of religion as it was prior to Vatican II. What is in my heart is that we recognize the question I suggested is a reality in the hearts of many, especially our younger Catholics ... by younger I mean those in their twenties all the way through their fifties!
Again, the question: What does the Church have to offer me, us today? To the pleasure of some and the displeasure of others, there is a very simple answer to the question. Albeit simple, the response is but a key that opens a door upon a vast world of religious thinking. The response? This is what any one of us could answer: "The Church brings to us, to me today what it has brought our ancestors for 2000 years: Jesus Christ."
The Church through years of reflection on the words of Jesus and the revelation of God that he brought to us and the wisdom of the Old Testament, has striven to teach us the words of Jesus Christ, his words of truth.
Today the Church attempts to bring that same message of Jesus, the message he entrusted to the apostles. As in other periods of its history, the world seems incapable of hearing what Jesus has taught us. What Jesus was teaching and continues to teach us are his words that are Spirit and truth.
You can recall the time when Jesus was talking with the disciples. It was clear that some of them could not accept what he taught. It was difficult for them. And remember what was reported: "They left Jesus’ company." They could not let go of their own opinions and beliefs.
We are called to be preachers of the Word of God. Not just popes, cardinal, bishops, priests and deacons. All of us are called by our baptismal vows to be preachers of the Word of God. Yet, let’s be honest. For many Catholics it is very difficult to accept that responsibility. We are not comfortable with evangelization, bringing the faith to others who are challenging or questioning our faith or our Church. And why? A story told by Archbishop Wuerl at a catechetical workshop just yesterday provides the answer.
The Archbishop was visiting friends. After a time in the home with the couple and their three young sons, the mother said to the husband. I think it would be good if you "men" left me alone to prepare a dinner for you. Take a ride with the boys.
As the ride was getting underway, the oldest of the three decided to show his power, his place in the pecking order of the back seat. He proceeded to tell the middle brother what he was to do and what he was not to say. He responded with his fists. The father quickly said: Use words not your hands. Silence existed for a few minutes then the middle son initiated some further contest with his brother. Again the father reminded the middle brother: Use words not your hands to express your thoughts. The Archbishop related how he watched the rear view mirror as the middle boy was slapped his hands on his legs three or four time and in utter frustration and a stronger voice spoke back to the father: "I just don’t know the words."
This is, in my opinion, one of the primary reasons that many of us are timid in replying to questions such as "What does the Church offer us today?" Knowledge of the content of our faith seemed to be less and less important of the last several decades. And with that the intimate relationship that we need to have with Jesus was also diluted. For many Catholics today entering into a conversation with Jesus is not easy. Yet, it is the invitation that all of us receive every day. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised his Church, promised us. The Holy Spirit will be with us each day. This is the continuity of the message that the Church brings today just as it has done throughout the centuries.
Another story of the Archbishop helps here when we speak of the continuity of the Church’s teaching and preaching message. He once received a note from a student who wrote that he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bishop at his grammar school. He was excited because he thought it was going to be neat to "meet someone who knows someone who knew someone who knew someone and on and on someone who knew someone –filling up the page of the letter– then reached the final line of the page and continued with who knew someone who knew Jesus. That’s the message.
The Church brings us the words of Jesus. How he taught, how he brought the Spirit to us. And it is not only the Church in the leadership of our parishes and the Vatican but it is each of us that we have the real opportunity to bring back to the Church those who have drifted away.
But to do that we have know our faith. We have to relearn what we may not have studied in twenty or thirty or forty years. What is your feeling when a friend comes to you and asks: Say, my friend, have you been born again? I willingly would wager that most Catholics are most uncomfortable with that question. What that friend was asking is simple: do you really believe in Jesus Christ? Have you committed yourself to him?
What many questioning Catholics, many drifted away Catholics really want to know from me and form you is this: do you really have a close relationship with Jesus Christ? That is the question today. That is the genuine opportunity you and I have to make our faith even stronger in the community. Imagine what a joy it would be if you were to answer those questions and bring one or two people back from their drifting to the source of Spirit and life, Jesus Christ. It would be staggering, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t it be like sight given to those who want to see? Wouldn’t it be the answer to Bartimaeus’ question ... his spiritual question?
This is the question that I hear more frequently than maybe ten or fifteen years ago. An ecumenical council some forty years ago brought about what has been a major change in our understanding of church. And, consequentially, I believe, has led our practice of religion to a different status. I am not suggesting that we return to the practice of religion as it was prior to Vatican II. What is in my heart is that we recognize the question I suggested is a reality in the hearts of many, especially our younger Catholics ... by younger I mean those in their twenties all the way through their fifties!
Again, the question: What does the Church have to offer me, us today? To the pleasure of some and the displeasure of others, there is a very simple answer to the question. Albeit simple, the response is but a key that opens a door upon a vast world of religious thinking. The response? This is what any one of us could answer: "The Church brings to us, to me today what it has brought our ancestors for 2000 years: Jesus Christ."
The Church through years of reflection on the words of Jesus and the revelation of God that he brought to us and the wisdom of the Old Testament, has striven to teach us the words of Jesus Christ, his words of truth.
Today the Church attempts to bring that same message of Jesus, the message he entrusted to the apostles. As in other periods of its history, the world seems incapable of hearing what Jesus has taught us. What Jesus was teaching and continues to teach us are his words that are Spirit and truth.
You can recall the time when Jesus was talking with the disciples. It was clear that some of them could not accept what he taught. It was difficult for them. And remember what was reported: "They left Jesus’ company." They could not let go of their own opinions and beliefs.
We are called to be preachers of the Word of God. Not just popes, cardinal, bishops, priests and deacons. All of us are called by our baptismal vows to be preachers of the Word of God. Yet, let’s be honest. For many Catholics it is very difficult to accept that responsibility. We are not comfortable with evangelization, bringing the faith to others who are challenging or questioning our faith or our Church. And why? A story told by Archbishop Wuerl at a catechetical workshop just yesterday provides the answer.
The Archbishop was visiting friends. After a time in the home with the couple and their three young sons, the mother said to the husband. I think it would be good if you "men" left me alone to prepare a dinner for you. Take a ride with the boys.
As the ride was getting underway, the oldest of the three decided to show his power, his place in the pecking order of the back seat. He proceeded to tell the middle brother what he was to do and what he was not to say. He responded with his fists. The father quickly said: Use words not your hands. Silence existed for a few minutes then the middle son initiated some further contest with his brother. Again the father reminded the middle brother: Use words not your hands to express your thoughts. The Archbishop related how he watched the rear view mirror as the middle boy was slapped his hands on his legs three or four time and in utter frustration and a stronger voice spoke back to the father: "I just don’t know the words."
This is, in my opinion, one of the primary reasons that many of us are timid in replying to questions such as "What does the Church offer us today?" Knowledge of the content of our faith seemed to be less and less important of the last several decades. And with that the intimate relationship that we need to have with Jesus was also diluted. For many Catholics today entering into a conversation with Jesus is not easy. Yet, it is the invitation that all of us receive every day. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised his Church, promised us. The Holy Spirit will be with us each day. This is the continuity of the message that the Church brings today just as it has done throughout the centuries.
Another story of the Archbishop helps here when we speak of the continuity of the Church’s teaching and preaching message. He once received a note from a student who wrote that he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bishop at his grammar school. He was excited because he thought it was going to be neat to "meet someone who knows someone who knew someone who knew someone and on and on someone who knew someone –filling up the page of the letter– then reached the final line of the page and continued with who knew someone who knew Jesus. That’s the message.
The Church brings us the words of Jesus. How he taught, how he brought the Spirit to us. And it is not only the Church in the leadership of our parishes and the Vatican but it is each of us that we have the real opportunity to bring back to the Church those who have drifted away.
But to do that we have know our faith. We have to relearn what we may not have studied in twenty or thirty or forty years. What is your feeling when a friend comes to you and asks: Say, my friend, have you been born again? I willingly would wager that most Catholics are most uncomfortable with that question. What that friend was asking is simple: do you really believe in Jesus Christ? Have you committed yourself to him?
What many questioning Catholics, many drifted away Catholics really want to know from me and form you is this: do you really have a close relationship with Jesus Christ? That is the question today. That is the genuine opportunity you and I have to make our faith even stronger in the community. Imagine what a joy it would be if you were to answer those questions and bring one or two people back from their drifting to the source of Spirit and life, Jesus Christ. It would be staggering, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t it be like sight given to those who want to see? Wouldn’t it be the answer to Bartimaeus’ question ... his spiritual question?
