Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious
Today we receive criticism concerning institutions that some consider unshakable sources of righteousness: the local churches. The names may seem outlandish to us, but the Churches of Sardis and Laodicea might as well be the Diocese of Toledo or the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The Revelation points out these churches are dysfunctional and operating at great spiritual risk. What is the problem? The problem is they don’t know they have a problem. In today’s world, this is still one of our greatest risks, both as a people and as individuals.
We look to the Church to provide sound teaching, an example of piety and holiness, and an avenue for works of charity and justice. It is through her that Jesus reaches out and saves us. For we simple-minded humans, too often that means we expect the Church (and by extension, church-people) to be righteous, loving, holy, and free from the destructive effects of sin. Whether this view of the Church comes from her own actions or ignorant perceptions of her is an ongoing question. The reality, of course, is quite different. I’ve worked on civic/ secular committees and I’ve worked on church committees, and the people are equally difficult, equally prone to sinful attitudes and actions. The same can be said for charitable groups, clubs, and workplaces with varying degrees of Christian identity. I frequently fall into the trap of believing that it shouldn’t be this way.
It’s a false belief, and perhaps even a sinful expectation. The Church is not a place where the righteous gather- it’s a place where sinners come to meet their God. Yes, it asks us to be better, to live our call to be holy as God is holy, but it doesn’t make that call from a place of perfection. The Church on Earth has not ‘arrived’ at righteousness, and neither have you or I. We just keep on sinning. Our favorite sins may evolve over our lifetime, but they keep cropping up. The Church keeps shifting her blindspots as well.
I wonder, if we were more aware of our sinfulness, would sinners feel more comfortable coming to Church? Would there be more Zacchaeus’s? What if it was easier and more common for us to admit the truth; that you and I need Jesus’s saving help just as much as all the people who never meet with a religious community? Can we get comfortable with the discomfort of our own sinfulness? May we be open to the Spirit’s conviction and call to conversion, throughout our life. Amen.
-Chris Nieport