For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
and have come to believe that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world.
Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Even as we hear the Lord speak of leaving the world, he assures us that he will not leave us. His name remains with us. And so long as we know, love, and serve his Holy Name, he lives among us.
The Fourth Gospel especially invites us into that knowledge and constant awareness of communion within the Trinity of God. As he says, the Father and the Son make their home within our hearts.
This is not a privilege reserved for those who have never sinned and never will. This is an invitation to those who acknowledge their sins and the fellowship in guilt. We are children of Eve, and we dare not suppose that we as Catholics or Christians are better than the rest of her children. Rather, each one must admit, "I am one of them."
I saw this as the priest pedophilia scandal broke over the Church. I am one of them, a priest. No, I have no particular interest or fascination with children. My point is, I too have sinned and have neither earned nor deserved the mercies God has shown me. They include the kindness of my family, friends, friars, and people in general; and the relative freedom of movement in a nation which boasts of its civil liberties. Some priests have lost their freedom because of their crimes; and I too am a priest. I am one of them.
But I can also repeat the last words of Saint Maximilian Kolbe before he was condemned to death, "I am a priest." He apparently believed that was sufficient explanation to the camp commandant for his kindness to a fellow prisoner. I am one of them, and I hope I am worthy of such companions.
As God's people, we enjoy this communion with God the Son because he has embraced the entire human race and is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters.
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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.