Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,
all you who love her;
exult, exult with her,
all you who were mourning over her!
Oh, that you may suck fully
of the milk of her comfort,
that you may nurse with delight
at her abundant breasts!
The disciples in today's gospel are told to go out to the ends of the earth and announce the good news of Jesus. Going out is a fairly masculine image of Christian mission. A more feminine image appears in our first reading, with the invitation to come to Mother Jerusalem and rejoice -- "exult! exult!" -- with her. The whole world might suck fully and nurse with delight at her abundant breasts.
Oh that such an image of the Church might prevail during these troubled times.
But if the New Jerusalem was an idealized version of a real city in Judea, we should not be surprised that our parishes are more like the old city than the New Jerusalem. Lots of strange people live in cities from responsible, honorable community builders to misfits, thieves and wastrels. Historically, the first beggars appeared when the first cities appeared. Disabled people who might have died in rural poverty could at least beg in the marketplace, especially where religions encouraged charitable giving.
Sometimes our parishes and dioceses resemble the Ever-Sinless, Virgin Church to the same degree as our cities resemble the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven -- that is, not very much. Because our junkies will rob the church and harass the devout who might seek the solace of the sanctuary, we lock the doors against everyone. Because we have certain prejudices about strangers, when they appear in our church we think they must be mistaken. ("Excuse me, dear, this is a Catholic Church!") Many churches collect pocket change with their poor boxes, but have yet to find a child-proof poor box. The kids need their vapes!
But -- we still have hope. Wonderful things happen in cities, more wonderful things happen in our inspired parishes and dioceses. Extraordinary needs are met when we pool our resources and think creatively. If the pastor and his counsel are flummoxed by someone's special request, somebody else steps forward and makes a solution. Eventually we recognize the person behind the tattoos and invite them to join the choir and the bible study. The marriage annulment takes a lot of time and effort but the Holy Spirit makes ways to get through the process and be confirmed during the Easter Vigil.
Even the priest who used to censor today's first reading learns to honor the women, mothers, and grandmothers who form the backbone of the church.
If the Church is getting a bad rap today in the media, much to the delight of misanthropes and the secular press, God is still inviting everyone to "suck fully of the milk of her comfort, and nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!"
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.