“Look…..Squirrel!”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
October 6 – 7, 2018
Scripture: Mark 10: 2-16
2 The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. 3 He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They replied, “Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” 5 But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate. 10 In the house the disciples again questioned him about this. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13 And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
Saint Jerome translated the book of Genesis from Hebrew into Latin. Translating Latin into English is problematic, because English is an imprecise language. The correct translation from Latin is that God created “homo” (a person) first and then separated His creation into two people. The Sacrament of Marriage transforms two people into one person.
If doctors treat a disease incorrectly, it’s night-night time. The same is true for the Catholic Church. Some say that if priests were allowed to marry the scandal of sexual assaults by priests would not have happened. But think about it…there are lots of perverts who are married.
Do not be distracted. The problem is priests who gave in to the temptations of satan, and bishops who lacked the backbone to lower the boom on bad priests and initiating spiritual kneecapping. We cannot blame anyone other than those who yielded to temptation and those who covered it up. But, we are unwilling to address the real problem and make excuses instead. We refuse to call it what it is…satan.
I hear people say that there’s too much sex and violence on television…but, how would they know? Are they actively watching those shows? Nevertheless, we cannot blame inanimate objects for our sins…that bird just won’t fly. The trouble in the Church is satan and sin, and our attachment to it because of a lack of moral courage and determination.
The Catholic Church is a hospice for sinners…not a hotel for sin. Priests, the backbone of the Catholic Church, are there to take care of souls and minister to their flocks. We must give members of our parishes the truth. The Eucharist is a “Who”, and not a “What.” During communion, we receive the Lord Jesus Christ – our Savior who saves us from our sins.
We don’t need more structure, committees, or meetings to fix what’s wrong with the Church. There is already too much bureaucracy which makes the Church seem unapproachable. Every first year seminarian knows this. We need for more lay people and those in the hierarchy to seek and strive for holiness.
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you keep your focus on Christ and not be distracted? Will you strive to become more holy?Done1 ShareSeen by 8LikeCommentShare