Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 118

The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
ministering to him,
loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants—
all who keep the sabbath free from profanation
and hold to my covenant,
them I will bring to my holy mountain
and make joyful in my house of prayer...

Our first reading today is taken from among the last chapters of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The author has been called "Third Isaiah" because he addresses a situation that is quite different from that addressed in the first 39 chapters of the book; and bears little resemblance to that of the 40th through 55th chapters. The first part of Isaiah was written in Jerusalem before the exile; the second, in Babylon during the exile; and the third, including today's reading, back in Jerusalem after the exile. The first and the third authors are separated by two centuries, but all three draw from the same theological presuppositions. All are familiar with the Pentateuch, and the historical books: Joshua, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. 

Our reading today concerns those inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem whose recent ancestors did not return from Babylon after the Captivity. Nor were their ancient ancestors slaves in Egypt. They are newcomers who would frequent the Temple and worship with their Jewish neighbors despite their lack of pedigree. Some of Jews who have long memories and have suffered much refuse to welcome these aliens to prayer, the congregation, or the Temple. But the Spirit of God is drawing them into the Jewish orbit, and the prophetic spirit of Isaiah welcomes them. 

One time, when I suggested to a parishioner, that her ethnically-based parish might soon welcome Mexican immigrants to the church, she replied, "Please, Father, we've got enough trouble already." There was trouble in that parish, but no worse than those of any other church. On another occasion, following a cathedral Mass when the second reading was announced in Vietnamese, I heard a woman grumble, "They're taking over my Church." 

The Catholic experience of centuries, and the more recent American experiment, has proven that those communities that integrate new members with their different cultures and historical experience, with different languages, customs, foods, and dress, flourish. Those who build barricades to reinforce their barriers stagnate and die. A church which does not announce its gospel to foreigners is not a Christian church.  

The Catholic Church today is caught in a polarized maelstrom of controversy. On the one hand, a liberal ideology purportedly welcomes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the cost of moral and doctrinal integrity. On the other hand, a conservative ideology suspects words like compassion, tolerance, and hospitality; and doesn't mind if some people feel unwelcome.

In the first centuries of the Church, we adopted the word catholic because it described that solidarity of doctrine and communion which spanned the "known world" -- from India to the British Isles. We agreed to celebrate Easter on the same day, whether in Ireland or Rome or Jerusalem. We agreed on the canonical books of the New Testament. Catholic embraced the defined doctrines of Incarnation and Trinity, while rejecting local heresies that appealed only to certain ethnic minorities. Catholicism congealed around loyalty to the bishop of Rome and respect for both his governing and teaching authority. 

Our first loyalty, of course, is to the Lordship of the Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus. We find unity in our creeds, especially the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. We find universal delight in the Mass, the Sacraments, and the Virgin Mother of God. 

We cannot entertain suggestions that the Lord did not actually rise from death, or that only his "spirit" persisted. These trial ideas were discussed centuries ago, and found wanting. Those who, thinking they're being creative today; that they have a right to disproven ideas, and would obnoxiously proclaim such nonsense must find themselves unwelcome. Their presence can only harm the Church. 

No one said it should be easy to be Catholic. Our principles of freedom, dignity, and integrity are far deeper than the diversity, equity, and inclusion touted by shallow thinking. 

Nor is it easy to respect the integrity of others who say, "Love me, love my opinions." and, "If you would be my friend you must agree with me."  We must respect their human dignity and their basic freedoms even as we disrespect their absurd ideas. 

Our faith will always be challenged by outsiders who bring too much baggage with them; and by immature insiders who are fascinated by bad ideas because they are new. As Bishop Robert Barron has said, "We have dumbed down the faith for too long!" 

But, like the Prophet Isaiah, we welcome everyone who is fascinated by the Son of Mary and wants to know him as the Son of God.