Blackberry blossoms |
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark.
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark.
I met a Veteran recently who joined the Church as a teenager. His mother
was Protestant; his step-father, a non-practicing Catholic; and they lived in a
very Catholic, Louisiana town. He entered the church because all his friends
were catholic; and he wanted to run with them. Sadly, when he entered the
military and moved onto other places, he did not maintain his membership in the
Church.
In fact, despite whatever catechesis he had, and the admonitions of his
catechists, he had never discovered the heart of Jesus. He was not attached
directly to the vine and the circumstances of life tore him out of the tangle
of its branches. I have heard the same story of former priests; they loved the
routines of seminary and rectory life; they enjoyed the camaraderie of priests;
but they never discovered the heart of Jesus. As their cliques of schoolmates scattered
and disbanded, they drifted away. Their lives were essentially heartless.
One of our friars was known for his declaration, “It’s fun to be Catholic.”
I wonder how many people would agree with him today. Given the controversies
and scandals and “changes,” many Catholics feel challenged. Sometimes the caricatures
of popes and bishops in political cartoons are downright offensive.
And yet they keep coming. Some Catholics can’t even say why they’re still here; perhaps they’re not
familiar with, or uncomfortable with the language of love. (Robert Hannah
described that sad condition in his book, Habits of the Heart. He
pointed to men who, when asked why they stay married, speak of their wives’
cooking ability or maternal instincts. They have forgotten how to say, “Because
I love her.”)
Catholic must be held to the bosom of the Church by the love of God if they are to remain in the Church. They
might say they love the Mass or the Eucharist. They might even say, “It’s fun
to be Catholic.” but, if they survive the challenges of our time, it’s because their
affection belongs to Jesus. They will say with great assurance:
I love you, LORD, my strength,LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer,
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim!
I have been delivered from my enemies. (Psalm 18)
I have said before, if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, you won't find it working for the Church. It can't be heartbreaking working for the Church. I've had my heart broken. People expect the Church too be perfect, but it is made of human beings. And God takes us simple humans and transforms us into His Body.
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