Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A [Trinity 2011]
[Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Matt 10:26-33]"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted." [Matthew]
The lines quoted are from the instructions given by Jesus to his disciples before sending them on their mission. Needless to say, they are for our instruction, too. They carry with them the assurance of God's providential care in proclaiming the gospel. Adversity is to be expected. I can recall in my grade school days when we were preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation that the sisters warned us that the bishop would tap us lightly on the side of the face as a reminder that we were to be "soldiers for Christ." The ecclesiology (study of the church) in those days spoke of the "Church Suffering, the Church Militant, and the Church Triumphant." The "sodality of our Lady," to which I belonged, had a marching hymn that began, "An army of youth, flying the banner of truth. We're fighting for Christ the Lord!" All of this suggests an intentional, almost aggressive, evangelism. We Catholics were out to prove our faith to be the only true one and in the process also show that we were good American citizens!
The tone of all this is considerably different now. Indeed, the pope is more universally accepted at a pastor for the whole world and not just for Catholics. "The New Evangelism" is directed more at those in the church who have stopped practicing their faith. The social justice teachings, which includes anything that touches on human dignity, are offered to the world in a "consistent life ethic" and a concern for "our common home." Pope Francis exhorts all of us to be "missionaries of mercy." However, despite the change in tone, there will always be political and economic forces that will oppose the faith. When Jesus sent the disciples out on mission, he wanted them to go with eyes wide open to the task. When Matthew put his gospel portrait together, he already had the experience of the community to reflect on. Our baptismal commitment means that Jesus' instructions are for us now. What shall we do to spread the Word? AMEN
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