A difficult moment

Today’s gospel begins with words which Jesus spoke to the crowds: ... unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you (Jn 6:53).  Many of those who heard these words found them difficult to understand, and because they could not understand his words, many of them turned back and no longer went along with him (Jn 6:66).  This was a kind of litmus test for them, a breaking point.  Like them,  we must always ask ourselves: how far am I willing to go to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?  It is always easy to follow him when things are going well, but the true level of our commitment only comes to light when there are challenges, when we are tested.

This summer has been a very trying time for many in the Church.  At the end of July, a retired Cardinal who once shepherded the Archdiocese of Washington, DC resigned his position as an advisor to the Holy Father as a result of accusations of inappropriate behaviour and cover-ups regarding abuses committed by clergy under his care while he was in active ministry.  Last week, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury released a report that accuses more than 300 priests in dioceses throughout that state of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children over a 70-year period.

Reports like this always remind me that although God is perfect, none of us is.  The weakness of those who serve in the Church is understandably a cause for concern, because we are called to lead first and foremost by example ... and because the victims in this case are the innocent: those who should be protected most of all.

Those who are guilty must always answer for their actions, but such situations should also make all of us aware of our own weaknesses, and each of us must ask ourselves the question: how far am I willing to go to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

In the first reading for today’s liturgy, Joshua challenged the elders, the heads, the judges and the officers of Israel ... to choose who they would serve (Joshua 24:15).  In the midst of confusion and chaos, his words rang out and reverberated in their hearts, and they recognized a call to affirm their willingness to serve the Lord.

Even today, when we are faced with situations of confusion and chaos, we must always stop and listen deeply for the voice of God that is always whispering wisdom in the depths of our souls.  This voice will always help us to return to the basics.  It will always help us to find our way, even when we are faced with the most disturbing news.

The report issued by the Pennsylvania Grand Jury has sent shock waves throughout the Church in the United States and these shock waves have reverberated here in Canada and as far away as Rome.  These difficult questions require answers, and the answers will be forthcoming, but in the meanwhile, each of us can and must pray for our brothers and sisters: those who have committed such unspeakable acts and those who have been victimized.  Let us all strive to be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us (Eph 4:32).