Homily: St. Anthony Marie Claret

St. Anthony Marie Claret (Rms. 6:12-18) “Who Am I Responsible For?”

As Americans we have a very strong belief that each person is responsible for their own actions. If a person does not act morally, they will end up paying the consequences. No one should be answerable for another’s actions or punished for the sinful behavior of someone else.

The Old Testament Israelites did not believe that. Each person was a part of a tribe. Later they were more readily identified with the nation of Israel. When people identified themselves, it would be in terms of their tribe and the nation. We still see that in a large part of the world today. We can think of people in Africa for example. The national boundaries were arbitrarily drawn at times. Tribal affiliations however remain.

The Jews believed that if one person in a tribe sinned that everyone could suffer. If one person was blessed all would be blessed. Everyone was responsible for the well-being of everyone else.

This philosophy is reflected in the Letter to the Romans. The letter states that because of Adam’s sinful actions all human beings were tainted by sin and suffered death. Because of Jesus’ virtuous actions all humanity will share in forgiveness and new life.

Again, all this sounds strange to us. We seem to concentrate on personal morality and the state of our own soul. We try not to take responsibility for others even if they are in our nuclear families. So somehow this idea of corporate responsibility does not resonate with us.

We might remember that the church teaches about social sin. Any sin touches those around us. The idea that if we only harm ourselves then we can do whatever we want is a false notion. We are connected to each other emotionally, spiritually and physically. When we waste resources, for example, others go without. If we felt that our actions hurt not only us, but those we love how much more motivation would we have to seek virtue in our lives?

Reflection Questions:

1.     As I was growing up, did anyone ever tell me not to embarrass the family? What did that mean to me?

2.    What social sins might I commit? Do they touch the lives of others?

 Dear Parishioners,

           On Saturday, November 4th at 4 p.m. we will hold our annual Mass of Remembrance for those who have died from our parish and who were buried by our clergy. This is always a very touching Mass. I would invite everyone to come and pray with our parish family. When one person grieves in our community, we all do.

          We minister a lot to families when someone dies but the grief does not end at the time of the funeral. It goes on. The Memorial Mass acknowledges that fact. During the next week, we pray for all the faithful departed.

          May Our Lady of Sorrows walk with us this week as All Souls Day approaches.

          Fr. Mark