Fourth Sunday of Easter 'A'

Saturday April 16, 2005

Jesus is Our Role Model

In recent years, the term ‘role model’ has been used rather freely and loosely in referring to people whom we would like to emulate not so much for their virtue but for their prowess and expertise in one or another field of endeavor or endurance.

Some people prefer the term ‘hero’ but this title demands qualities of character that exceed by far the ordinary traits associated with a role model. Whatever the term, in my opinion we have become far too cavalier in using either title. When I hear the term attributed to athletes whose skills on the court or on the field win them multi-million dollar contract and perks that equal a lottery winning, I begin to question the criteria for heroism and the definition of a role model.

For many years, this fourth Sunday of Easter has been referred to as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday.’ In more recent years, it has also been designated as ‘Vocation Sunday.’ As such, it has provided an opportunity to for preachers to promote vocations to the priesthood. The Scriptural texts seem an appropriate context in which the life of a priest and pastor might be presented in order to generate greater interest among young men who might be discerning their call and career.

There is indeed a crisis within the Catholic fold regarding the number of priests to serve the ever-increasing number of Catholics not only within our own diocese but also in dioceses all over the world. Actuarial tables published even in the secular press give evidence of a very rapid decline in the number of parishes that will have a full-time priest or pastor.

The optimists among us view this phenomenon as the work of the Holy Spirit. Is it possible that the decline in the number of priestly vocations is the will of God?

It is not beyond the realm of possibility when you consider the increase in the number of lay people who have answered the call to serve the Church as ministers of one kind or another. Over time, we have discovered that the ministry of the priest is really a share in the priesthood of Christ and since all the baptized enjoy a share in what is called the ‘common priesthood’ of Christ, it makes perfect sense that the work of the Church cannot and should not be limited to the ordained clergy. In fact, there has been an explosion of lay ministers since Vatican II. The campuses of Catholic colleges and universities are filled with lay people who are pursuing degrees and certification for lay ministry.

Ordained ministry is indeed a specific ministry configured to Christ in a very special way. Priests are ordained to act ‘in persona Christi,’ that is, in the person of Christ. It is their essential role to gather the faithful around the Eucharist table to do what the Lord did on the night before he died. Their role is primarily sacramental. Through special rites and rituals, priests make present the person of Christ at significant moments in the life of a Christian in the Catholic tradition: in baptism at birth or rebirth as an adult; in the Eucharist which is the daily food of the Christian; in the sacrament of reconciliation when we need to be assured of God’s forgiveness; in the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony when a man and woman are ready to entrust their lives to each other for life; in the anointing of the sick when illness or the fear of death threatens the quality of life or life itself.

But the ministry of the priest is not limited to the celebration of sacramental rituals. Priests are called to be animators within the faith community. They do this by preaching and teaching using words as necessary. The priesthood is not just another career, but a way of life that touches every aspect of their lives, and it’s not just what they do that matters as much as how they do it!

But they don’t have to do it all. One of their primary roles within the community of faith is to recognize and to call forth ministers from the congregation, people whose talents and charisms make them suitable partners in mission of the Church which is nothing more or less than enabling all the members to live their Christian vocation in the world. In fact, for the most part, the work of the Church is carried out by lay people in the world – in their home, at work and yes, even at recreation. Moreover, much of the work ‘in the Church’ is being carried out by lay women! Haven’t you noticed?

Questions have been raised in various circles about whether or not the priesthood is incompatible with another vocation such as marriage or put another way, whether the demands of marriage preclude the possibility that a married man could also live out the vocation of a priest. It’s a very good question that deserves a frank and open discussion within the Church at every level. A married clergy has always existed within the Eastern Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. There are also situations in which our Western Church discipline has admitted of exceptions. Therefore, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that at this time in history, the Holy Spirit is challening us to think out of the box! Quite frankly, I’m convinced that the Holy Spirit is indeed asking our Church to consider this possibility not just to solve the vocation crisis but more so to challenge the closed clerical system that continues to dominate Church life.

On the question of the ordination of women to ministry, there are orthodox biblical theologians who maintain that though it might challenge tradition, it would not be incompatible with the basic teachings of Scripture; they even cite in the early tradition of the Church, examples of women functioning as deacons.

I believe that we must maintain a sense of optimism and broaden our definition of the priesthood to include other forms and structures. By no means would this exclude the traditional role of the celibate priesthood or its importance in the life of the Church. In the same way that God called forth prophets in the Old Testament to lead solitary lives for the sake of the Israelites, I have no doubt that God calls some men and women to be celibate for the sake of the kingdom of God. It’s not a question of ‘either-or’ but’ of both-and.’

I believe that our Church is not in crisis but in a state of fermentation as we continue to await the fullness of the Spirit on this coming Pentecost and on the Pentecosts yet to come.

Pope John XXIII criticized the prophets of doom in his famous address to the bishops and cardinals of the world gathered for the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Calling the Church to an ‘aggiornamento’ through a new Pentecost, he accentuated the positive.

In the words of that old song, t is time to “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative; latch on to the affirmative…”

“Our age is, in especial degree, the age of criticism, and to criticism everything must submit. Religion through its sanctity and lawgiving through it majesty, may seek to exempt themselves from it. But they then awaken just suspicion, and cannot claim the sincere respect which reason accords only to that which has been able to sustain the test of free and open examination.” [Critique of Pure Reason, Emmanuel Kant]

God has not and will not abandon his Church but we need to listen – at every level—to his voice.
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For mature adult website visitors:

This morning in Catholic Churches across the country bishops have instructed pastors to invite parishioners to sign a petition listing the qualities necessary for the appointment of future court justices and judges. As a ‘pastor-at-large, I am opposed to abortion as an alternative to ‘unwanted’ pregnancies. However, I am uncomfortable taking advantage of the Sunday assembly to cast votes for a such a campaign.

On the other hand, perhaps our bishops would be open to suggestions from our congregations with regard to the selection of bishops and of course, the Holy Father. Such a ‘campaign’ would undoubtedly produce some interesting responses. (Cf Project Millstone, on Website Directory.)

Father Lasch

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