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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

Much ado about nothing or, is there something to it?

Readings: Acts 19:1-8 Psalm 68:2-7 John 16:29-33

Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [Acts 19:1-3]

Depending on one’s sacramental theology and pastoral practice, this text has been variously interpreted. For example, those who work with the RCIA (catecheumenate) hold that the sacrament of Confirmation should be administered with Baptism as it was in the early Church. It is one of the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Eastern Rite of the Roman Catholic Church has retained the tradition of administering all three at Baptism. Yes, the infant receives a small piece of the Eucharist bread. And so in the Eastern Rite, there is no formal celebration of First Holy Communion at the age of reason or Confirmation by the bishop at whatever age the local diocese has determined the age of maturity appropriate for Confirmation. All three sacraments are administered shortly after birth.

Others feel that the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation at a later age ensures the participation of youngsters in parish religious education programs – at least until Confirmation. In this case, many Catholics view Confirmation as the completion of or graduation from religious studies.

In recent years I have become convinced that the RCIA folks and the Eastern Rite Catholics have it right. All three sacraments of initiation should be administered together. First Holy Communion and Confirmation have become more social than spiritual. I do not mean to suggest that there is no connection or that there should be no celebration after sacramental ceremonies but for many, the accent is on the wrong syllable.

The path from Baptism to Christian maturity is life-long and the benchmarks for progress are not easily measured by grouping children by age or grade level for a period of preparation that is largely academic.

This is not to suggest that religious education is optional. Faith development is unique to each person within the context first of family and then of parish. Religious education / formation is intended to provide insight into faith development at an age-appropriate level.

Catholicism has become ‘child-centered’ the result of which, we have an adult population whose religious and spiritual development stopped at Confirmation.

The celebration of Eucharist is the primary setting for faith formation. Religious education is a necessary component but detached from Eucharist, it remain just another subject to master.

Of course this all assumes that the parish celebration of the Eucharist is truly inclusive and meaningful rather than just an empty ritual. The parish at worship should be a rendition of a community of faith that strives to live its faith ‘in the town square’ as I mentioned in Sunday’s homily.

Notwithstanding my commitment to religious dialogue, I do believe that effective dialogue is based on the assumption that although both parties are knowledgeable about the topic. Though they may have different perspectives, they are not based on ignorance of the subject.

Second Sunday of Easter 'C'

Saturday April 10, 2010

True Religion

It is astounding that despite the passing of time and the repetition of the texts describing the first Easter, new insights continue to emerge from a careful reading of these biblical accounts.

I expect this is no different from the experience of listening to family stories over and over again. Haven’t you heard someone say, “I’ve heard that story a hundred times but this is the first time I got the point?”

During this season many Christians, Catholics among them, continue to listen to the Resurrection story as they search for Jesus in the empty tombs around the world; searching not for a dead body but for the risen Christ. No, they are not literally heading for an empty tomb but they are looking for the assurance that Jesus’ resurrection was not a hoax; exploring a mystery that defies human explanation.

The Easter ‘event’ is not about the resuscitation of Jesus but about his new identity in the community of believers. Commenting on the appearance of Jesus “through locked doors,” one biblical scholar, Richard Cassidy, put it this way: “In his new identity, Jesus is no longer subject to the constraints of time and space.” Indeed!

Through a wide use of metaphors the evangelists attempted to convince their readers and us of the reality of Jesus’ real presence in the emerging faith and witness of early believers. Please note that the term ‘witness’ does not necessarily mean ‘eye witness.’ It refers as much to those who experienced in faith, the crucified but living Christ and who could not help show it in their words and deeds. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

The graphic description by John the Evangelist of Thomas’ doubt and instant conversion is another dramatic attempt to connect the crucified Jesus to the risen Christ, not an attempt to establish proof for his resuscitation. This is a very subtle but important distinction. Notice that it was not putting his hand into Jesus’ hands and side but Jesus’ words that cast away Thomas’ doubt.

As member s of this faith community we are called to be animators of the word of God. Do we empower people to goodness or better, to ‘Godness?’ For whom or for what are we ready to die? Or rather I should ask, for whom or for what are we willing to live?

As Christians of the twenty-first century, I think we need to speak about the “Good News” that Jesus came to proclaim, using words only when necessary, but I also think we need to recognize the bad news in the light of the Good News too.

And so as we remain faithful to the tradition, we challenge our institution. Our Church is being called to reform at its highest levels of leadership and they need to listen to the ‘Voice of the Faithful’ and they need to listen to the prophets inside and outside the Church institution. I think of Bishop Tom Gumbleton who was never called to lead a diocese because of his outspokenness about integrity within his ranks. I think of Nelson Mandella who spent over 25 years in prison for his faith. I think of the Dali Lama whose impact on people of every tradition through the years remains firm. And I think of so many of you in the pew who live your life in faithfulness to Jesus despite your temptation to seek an easier path outside the walls.

And so the way we go about our ‘hands-on’ witness is itself a witness. Fighting hate speech with hate speech never works. Vindictive bashing of political, economic or ecclesiastical leadership cannot be the venue of a true Christian but we are not excused from holding all of them accountable. Jesus engaged his listeners in an effort to touch their hearts rather than crush their spirits. “In you, O Lord, justice and mercy meet.”

Living Christianity in any age has never been and will never be a piece of cake and there are no cheap graces. Every day brings new opportunities to be instruments of God’s saving grace to others and we don’t have to wear our religion on our sleeve to give witness to what we believe.

In the words of Richard Rohr, “Who are the people of every place and time who have discovered this deeper meaning of faith in the midst of darkness? Almost without exception, they are those who have suffered much or loved deeply. Those two experiences are the common crossover points, the rings of fire, and because lover and suffering are available to all, the eyes of truth faith are available to all.” [The Naked Now, Richard Rhor, Croosroad Publishers, NY, 2009]

And that’s what true religion is all about and that is what keeps us faithful to the tradition while challenging the institution to be what Jesus calls it to be – a community of true faith.