Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 1 is the beginning of a new fiscal year in Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It is also the date when new priest’s assignments begin. This year, there is something even more extraordinary about it. We begin a new way of being an archdiocese. The Beacons of Light initiative of the archdiocese which organizes parishes into “Families of Parishes” is a strategic move to address the current realities of the Catholic Church. It is obvious that the archdiocese has spent much time planning for the new initiative. It appointed a committee, chose consultants, held numerous meetings, conducted surveys, discussed feedback, created bule prints, drew draft plans, and finally rolled out the plan. And today, here we are. I am celebrating this Eucharist with you as we enter the implementation phase of the Families of Parishes initiative.
Now, if you have the inclination that somehow I have an idea of how this is all going to work out, I don’t. And I don’t mean to scare you or make the reality any more uncertain. I merely mean to say that the future is not in my hands, but ours. People from five different parishes will have to come together as a people of faith and determine our future.
As at other times when I am confronted with the realities of life, I always turn to scripture. And here is the precise place where we can find comfort and hope. It so happens that the scripture readings for today’s liturgy are incredibly relevant for today. In fact, I consider this a little miracle that the readings are so appropriate.
Comfort and Hope in Time of Need
Today’s first reading taken from the Prophet Isaiah taken from the very last section of Isaiah which was addressed to the post exilic remnants of Israel. As we know the Babylonian exile was the lowest point of the history of the people of God. The temple in Jerusalem lay in ruins, there was no priest, no sacrifices, no worship, and an entire generation was lost in Babylon. The Promised Land, the land once flowing with milk and honey lay in ruins. In this context Isaiah’s prophetic voice announced a renewal. “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!” This was God’s promise renewal of God people, the return of the people to Jerusalem, and the rebuilding of the nation and the temple. Finally, there is comfort. Isaiah compares the comfort of the people to a suckling child who finds comfort at its mother’s bosom. However, Isaiah was also insistent that the new Jerusalem must alienate those things that led to the exile in Babylon in the first place – the abuses of Temple worship and an end to the social injustices of the pre-exilic times.
Isaiah’s words are relevant for us today. The data presented in preparation by the Beacons of Light initiative is very depressing. Catholic life is in rapid decline. The sacramental life is in rapid decline. Church attendance is in radical decline. Catholic school enrollment is in rapid decline. It almost feels like we too heading into an exile.
Perhaps not. Although, as Catholics we do stand at a crossroad. This is the time to humbly recognize our reality, take responsibility, and invite God’s saving grace into our lives. Today’s gospel reading provides us the right incentive to grow from where we find ourselves rather than decline further.
Missionary Church
As we know, Jesus came into the world at a low time in Israel’s history. Jesus, rather than focus on the problem, began the task of redemption. He chose his apostles and then went about preparing and sending forth disciples. In today’s gospel reading Jesus sent seventy-two disciples to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. As we hear, the seventy-two returned rejoicing because they saw evil defeated and God’s reign take shape.
One of the main purposes of the Beacons of Light ‘Families of the Parishes’ initiative is to move the parishes from maintenance to mission. Instead of being parishes that strive to keep our declining and struggling communities afloat, the vision is to join hands and become a vibrant community that shifts the focus from maintenance to missionary discipleship - like the seventy-two in today’s gospel reading. The future of the Catholic Church in Dayton lies in we understanding our call to missionary discipleship.
Being missionary involves a certain giving up and a certain opening up. Jesus asked the seventy-two, “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way” because it is easy to cling on to those things that give us security. Rather, giving up those things that weigh us down and opening up to new possibilities is what is going to ensure our future. Our past is important but perhaps not as important as our future. We must move from past glory to future hope. Like the seventy-two we literally stand and a crossroad.
Focus on the Cross of Jesus Christ
I am proposing that together, the five parishes, focus on what Paul says in today’s second reading, “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul is insistent. He says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Our parishes, as historical as they are, must find a common ground in the cross of Jesus. The Cross of Jesus Christ – that is what unites us. The Cross of Jesus Christ – that must be the focus of our missionary life as the family of parishes.
As we offer this Mass, let us be open to the comfort that the Lord offer us. Let us be aware of the confidence the Lord has in us as he entrusts us his mission. Focusing on the Cross of Jesus Christ, let us pray the Lord transform us in to vibrant communities of faith. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph