Feast of St. Clare of Assisi (Dt. 4:32-40) “The People of God”

Feast of St. Clare of Assisi (Dt. 4:32-40) “The People of God”

One of the key results of the Second Vatican Council was that the hierarchical nature of the church was changed.  Before this ecumenical council, the church was ruled by the bishops and priests.  The Pope was a monarch.  The church reflected the governing bodies of the world in the Middle Ages.  It was only over time that democracy developed in the world.  The idea that everyone should have a voice was a concept that the church rejected for many years.

When the council stated that everyone is called to holiness and said that everyone was part of the People of God.  This was looked upon with suspicion.  The fact that everyone had a role to play in the ministry of the church was thought to be unrealistic.  Certain key people had to be more important than anyone else.

People might ask where the idea of the People of God came from. It did not necessarily come from the idea of citizenship and governance, but it was a Theological idea.

The idea came from the biblical idea of God’s chosen people.  At a certain point in time God chose one race of people to be special.  God chose Abraham and Sarah to be the parents of a great nation.  God promised never to desert his chosen people.  Even though the people of Israel would disappoint God numerous times, God never severed his relationship with them.

We might think that if God would have a chosen people that they would be the most powerful nation on the face of the earth, but we would be mistaken.  We have seen how the Jews have suffered throughout history.  Worldly powers have tried to exterminate and denigrate the Jews any number of times, but they have survived.

Jesus is an embodiment of the chosen people.  He is the suffering servant.  He is not a powerful leader, but Jesus is a servant leader.  And that is what the Jewish people were supposed to represent, a nation that bore misfortune, but never lost hope.  And that is what we are to be as the people of the church, a faith community that serves the rest of the world.

Reflection Questions:

1.  Is everyone equal in the church?  How can that idea become a reality?

2.  If I am chosen does that mean I am free from suffering?  What does it mean?

Dear Parishioners,

         Religious Education classes will be starting in September.  We are always in need of catechists to teach children about the Catholic faith.  One does not need to be a professional teacher to engage in this ministry.  A person just needs to have a love for young people and for the church.  Our classes are taught after 9:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday. 

        If you would like to be a part of this ministry, I would invite you to contact Debbie Patronagio at our parish office and volunteer.  She would be glad to talk to you about this possibility.  Catechizing the young is a big part of our evangelization efforts.

        May Our Lady Pray for us,

         Fr. Mark