Homily: Twenty-first Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Twenty-first Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 23:23-26) “Respect is Earned”

One of the things that Pope Francis has spoken about often since he has been Bishop of Rome is the sin of clericalism. If we want to know, what clericalism is we need only to read the selections from Gospel of Matthew that we have for Mass this week.

Clericalism is shown when a priest is put on a pedestal. It can be exhibited if an ordained minister believe that they enjoy privileges that others do not enjoy. There are two mistakes that are made when we try to define clericalism.

The first mistake is that we point to clericalism as something that only the clergy are guilty of. But clericalism can be exhibited in many professions as well as classes of people. Doctors, lawyers, administrators, professors and a host of other people can exhibit clericalism. When a person feels that they have superior knowledge and statues because of their occupation there is a danger of clericalism. There can be a sense that there is an expertise in the field they work in and in many other matters as well.

The second mistake we make is that we think this sin is reserved to certain clergy. But it is also a structural problem in the church. The laity can defer to the clergy and can forgo certain responsibilities. We need Father to lead the prayer. He is holier than we are. Since our church is a sacramental church and we need the ordained to administer the sacraments this can lead the laity to be rather docile in spiritual matters.

We need to remember that Jesus never held any official religious office in the Jewish faith. He was a layman in the truest sense of the word. He had little formal religious education and he worked as a common laborer. Yet, he had status with the common people of his time. He had to gain authority by his words and actions. That is how all of us need to look at our responsibilities. An office or a title do not come with respect. We must earn that.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I ever witnessed someone acting in a very clerical way? Who was it and what happened?

2.    Do I take responsibility for my spiritual life? How do I do this?

 Dear Parishioners,

           I had a couple of parishioners approach me last week with the idea of starting a grief group. The group would be a support group for those who have lost a loved one. It looks like this group will be getting started soon in our parish.

          I also had another person from the area call me to say that she was starting a retreat weekend for newly widowed individuals. Nothing that was offered by the church had satisfied her as she grieved her husband.

           I felt compassion for those who are seeking spiritual solace in a time of grief. I also was impressed that the individuals involved were not waiting for the official church to act, but they saw themselves as church. Sometimes it seems like people feel a need and they make that need known, but that is as far as it goes. These women felt a need and they are trying to do something about it. Sometimes this leads to some of the best ministry the church engages in.

          May Our Lady of Peace heal our divided world.

          Fr. Mark