Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8; Jn 16:5-11
Summary
There is a growing shift in Catholic theology that represents a pendulum swing from the emphasis on mercy and grace to sin and confession. Here is a link to a rather lengthy article on the phenomenon. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/step-back-time-americas-catholic-church-sees-immense-109814733 I am very happy to hear about the increase in confession opportunities and the catechesis on the Sacrament of Confession. I love when we incense, intone Gregorian chants and the Latin phrases we use at Mass. Many changes are comforting as a matter of personal preference.
What am I worried about then? The list is short but impressive.
- Rejection of Vatican II is a prideful, faithless view of the Church and the role of the Holy Spirit and promotes form over essence.
- (I have written about this before) The regression in theological debate and theologian influence on the dogma of the Church. It is in fact frozen in time (13th Century Aquinas). Pope Francis would add the lack of the divine femininity influence.
- Update: https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/church-needs-theologians-who-grapple-modern-world-pope-says
- A growing constriction of the depth and meaning of sacred Scripture. A distinct lack of growth in the internalization of the Gospel message, the blur of the limits of the historical analysis and the over emphasis of but a few of the early Fathers and the forgotten centuries of divine expression.
Important references
Indeed, making our own Jesus’ recommendation that we learn to discern “the signs of the times” (Mt 16:4). Pope John XXIII.
May there thus be repeated in the Christian family the spectacle of the Apostles gathered together in Jerusalem, after the Ascension of Jesus to heaven, when the newborn Church was completely united in communion of thought and of prayer with Peter and around Peter, the shepherd of the lambs and of the sheep. And may the divine Spirit deign to answer in a most comforting manner the prayer that everyday rises to him from every corner of the world: “Renew your wonders in our time, as though in a new Pentecost, and grant that Holy Church, united in unanimous and intense prayer around Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and guided by Peter, may spread the Kingdom of the divine Savior, a Kingdom of truth, of justice, of love, and of peace. Amen.” Pope John XXIII 25 December 1961.
Pope John XXIII – https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/humanae-salutis.pdf
The gospel portion today speaks more specifically of the coming of the Advocate and the role the Holy Spirit will plan in the Salvation plan in regards to the sins of the world. If we read with a narrowed focus, we lose a large portion of the divine voice.
It is chilling tho read a comment like this: Doug Koesel, an outspoken 72-year-old priest at Blessed Trinity Parish in Cleveland, was blunter: “They’re just waiting for us to die.”
And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned (Jn 16:8-11).
A. Sin. The basic (foundational) sin was and is refusal to believe in Jesus, or said more inclusively, in the divine self-action of the promised redemption.
B. Righteousness. The ultimate righteousness is the ingathering as an outcome of the lifting up and exalting (ISA 52:15), the Ascension of Jesus to the Father’s right hand.
C. Condemnation of Satan. Evil is condemned in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself (Jn 12:32).
x-ref USCCB commentary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jn/16?8#51016008
Reflection
Everyone performs eisegesis. See link to a previous homily: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/03/18/eisegesis-pandemic/
We must persist anew in allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal, guide and correct our errors.
Personal Reflection
The basis of my concern is the wholesale and willful ignorance of science, social science, and the advances of the medical arts in maturing “sign of the times” how we express the divine will, divine commandments and the praxis of pastoral ministry.
An example would be revealed in this slogan.
Exceptions prove the rule. A rule without exceptions is chaos. – Deacon Gerry. I urge you, as you want for us to die off, do not fail to embrace the entirety of the human family as the subject of theology not its victim.
First Reading
The crowd in Philippi joined in the attack on Paul and Silas, and the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison and instructed the jailer to guard them securely. When he received these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake.
Responsorial
Your right hand saves me, O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
The ABCNews article on the dramatic evolution of priestly and Catholic formation in recent years was very even handed about the several dilemmas facing our Catholic Church in the USA. You never cease to bring such Spiritual and Social issues into the Light of the Gospel. Thank you!
Thank you, Brother!