Today's Thoughts...

8/13/2019

Today’s Thoughts: Just when I begin thinking that we have moved beyond the sexual scandals of the Church it raises its ugly head again. I am convinced that we will never get beyond it in my life time and perhaps we shouldn’t! In my thoughts on today’s readings, I am going to speak from the perspective of a priest, a member of the hierarchy of the Church. While I have never abused a child in any way, or been abused myself, I am still a member of a hierarchy who has. So, I share with you my perspective.

Today’s Gospel (Matt. 18:1-5, 10, 12-14) gives me pause to ponder the scandal that has been such a presence in my life as a priest. In Jesus’ words today, we are reminded why the sexual scandals of the Church were and continued to be so wrong. Hurting children in any way goes against all that Jesus taught. The sin that we, the hierarchy of the Church, continues to carry, the sin of actions and in-actions, the sin of indifference, the sin of hurt and pain, the sin of stealing innocence, the sin of not protecting, the sin of covering up, the sin of not responding should remain with us and never leave us.

When we hear the words of today’s Gospel they should always give us pause to ponder what has been done to children in our name. These words should give us pause to ponder how our actions and in-actions as priests, deacons, bishops, cardinals and popes have led to so much hurt, pain and the loss of God’s little ones!

These words of Jesus should never be far from our thoughts and our hearts so that we will be humble people and always receive God’s children as if we are receiving God. If this is not our attitude, if this is not what drives our ministry then we should not be priests, deacons, bishops, cardinals or popes. Humility will make us people who respect not who are arrogance. May God and the children we have hurt forgive us and may we never let this happen again.

On a more positive note perhaps we need to remember the words of Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ – “The future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope.” Let us give hope not take it away!

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

2 Comments

sharon bass link

8/13/2019 02:30:19 pm

I just read your take on things and today at Mass- Fr. John once again tells us we must be humble and always always include children - they are the ones he loves and we our selves ( they are the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven) must become as children meaning that we are humbled before him and all of my sisters and brothers. I have been struggling with the phrase - Love you enemies. It has taken me about 6 months or so to understand that it is God who humbly created everyone. Even those who chose a different path or respond in a way perhaps from circumstances in their young lives that may lead to such choices. What i now know in my heart- Is that he created each of us with Love- pure and simple- and yes I can love my enemy because I believe with my whole heart that all he truly wants is for each to turn back to him and he will welcome with open arms. I am in Spiritual Direction classes and I have long way to go to finish. I have peace in my heart that this is all he truly desires a return of EVERYONE regardless of their lived lives.
I understand the hurt and the betrayal that all of the religious must feel. I attended a gathering in prayers for those abused at my Parish and the agony I saw in Fr. John's face and how he spoke from his heart that these were his brothers and that he could not even finish reading the Pa. report. This is some one I truly would trust! I have a background of abuse but not by any religious.and every one needs to know that it occurs in families as well i have to believe the trust of a parent or guardian that has been betrayed is just as bad. I am Blessed to have come through it and I am so glad that I have my church! I am 72 and I received the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2012.
I do pray for all of the church- world wide- I don't know that true reparation will come. But I have HOPE and the LOVE of my Abba. I am so Blessed to have been put on a wonderful transformative journey . I genuinely believe I have been called to some things ( ministries) not as to make up for time- but to see just how I was never alone and the studying of the Enneagram of which I will have a retreat in 3 weeks has allowed me to "go inward " and let all of those shadows be explored and now loved. I did the "Inner Work Journal " for the up coming retreat. As I am sure you know all of the content is done in the third person.What an amazing way to explore our inner self as we were-( it is divided into decades) and to respond with out any negativity!
Sorry this is so long- I just pray for all of the clergy- all religious.
Our Abba knows of our sins- even by implication when there is none! So please know that there are some of us who share your hurt and pain and I would like to remind you that things in the world have not changed- just the method of instrumenting them. Jesus fought this and we continue to do so. Following him is not easy in the sense that those of the world will always try to "bring" you down. But I know in my heart- I am never alone - regardless what they say or do. It is so amazing that some one at my age is still loved and important to Him ! Peace and Blessings -YSIC Sharon

Sharon Bass

8/13/2019 06:19:20 pm

It has been submitted above my reply but I forgot to check off the notify of new comments to this post! Sorry! I feel very strongly about you post today and I did respond to it I hope with LOVE!

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Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"

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