Category: sexual abuse crisis

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Finding A Way Forward

Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

We, the Catholics of the United States, continue to feel the aftershocks of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. We are not only trying to digest the latest revelations – the Pennsylvania grand jury report; the accusations against Cardinal McCarrick – but are also dealing with the highly unusual sight of Church leaders accusing other Church leaders (even the Holy Father) of some degree of complicity in this crisis. This latter piece did not happen even in 2002.  Moreover, we have no way of knowing what new revelation, what new accusation, may be just around the corner. Most of the abuse may have taken place years ago, but this generation, it seems, is now tasked with shouldering the burden of it all.   Continue reading “Finding A Way Forward”

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To Whom Shall We Go?

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

As is usually the case, we find plenty of meat for reflection in this Sunday’s readings. St. Paul’s discussion of marriage in the second reading – especially his teaching that wives should be subordinate to their husbands – can always be counted on to generate lively discussion, shall we say. I have preached on this reading before. The challenge is to explain as faithfully as possible what Paul means by this while remaining sensitive to how this might be understood in contemporary society.

However, given where we are as a Church in this country in recent weeks, it seems best to focus on the first reading and Gospel for this Sunday. In both readings, people are challenged to reaffirm their faith in the Lord. In the first reading, the Lord has led Israel into the Land of Promise through Joshua. Now, Joshua asks the people to renew their commitment to the Lord. In the Gospel, the challenge is different. Earlier in John 6, people were ready to acclaim Jesus as king after he fed a large crowd with a few loaves and fishes. Now, once Jesus begins to explain the meaning of that miracle – and that he himself is the true Bread of Life – people find this “a bridge too far”. Even many of Jesus’ own followers no longer walk with him. Jesus asks the Twelve if they, too, will leave him. Continue reading “To Whom Shall We Go?”

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The Unreachable Star?

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

– “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha; written by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion

 

I am Don Quixote.   Continue reading “The Unreachable Star?”