18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

     The Eucharist is at the center of our lives as Roman Catholic Christians.  During these summer Sundays we read the Gospel of John and the “Bread of Life” discourse (John 6:26ff).  Jesus states that he is the bread of life and the one who feeds on his flesh and drinks his blood will have life eternal. The Eucharist is said to be what keeps the church alive.  Without it we would die. 

     To have a valid Mass we believe we must have an ordained priest to preside.  A couple of issues are probably on our mind, if we are involved Catholics.  One problem we have is that we have less and less priests in our church to lead our liturgies.  How will we continue to have Mass as often as we do without enough priests?  We see how parishes are closing and consolidating. Is that the answer?  Or, do we have to look at other options.  One hopeful sign is that Pope Francis is asking the Bishop’s conferences throughout the world to weigh in on this topic.  Hopefully, this means that the issues revolving around a lack of vocations in many parts of the world is going to be thoroughly discussed and options will be placed on the table that will lead to more frequent Eucharistic celebrations and more ordained ministers.

     The second issue that has surfaced again are the scandals concerning certain bishops who are/were guilty of the sexual abuse of minors. One thing that might cross our mind would be the validity of sacraments, including the Mass, that are celebrated by bishops, priests and deacons who are guilty of grave sin.  Are the sacraments they celebrate valid?  Church teaching would say that the sacraments are ruled by the concept of “ex opera operato.”  This means that the state of the ordained ministers’ souls have no effect on the validity of the sacraments they celebrate.  Jesus is the true minister of the sacrament and the Lord, many times, works through flawed ministers. We have been painfully aware, once again, that the church is a collection of sinners not saints. 

     This is a time which tries our faith.  Many will point to the church’s hypocrisy and say that this proves the church is not of God, but God’s graces continue to flow through the church.  I do not say this to downplay the seriousness of what has happened. The hierarchy of the church along with its members needs to be willing to go through the hard process of reformation and reconciliation.  But as this is happening, we need the Eucharist (the true presence of Jesus) to hold us together.  The truth is often not easy to admit.   The church is going through a storm.

     The Eucharist can be a grace filled force that helps us (the church) maintain its identity as the Body of Christ.  This has been the case throughout the church’s long history. We pray it will be the case as we go through the present crisis.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark