Homily Sixth Wednesday of Easter (Acts: 17:15-18:1) “Open Minds Open Hearts”
Homily Sixth Wednesday of Easter (Acts: 17:15-18:1) “Open Minds Open Hearts”
All successful missionaries try to connect to the religions and culture of the lands where they are preaching. If potential converts already have a religion and believe there are divine beings or that there is a God who created the universe there is a common starting point.
St. Patrick pointed to commonalities between the Christian God and Celtic spirituality and he was able to successfully convert the Irish people. St. Bonaventure was able to use religious symbols (like the Christmas tree) that the Germanic people valued to bring converts to Christianity.
St. Paul was successful with the Greeks because he used certain elements of Greek culture and religion as starting points as he preached to the Ancient Greeks. In Acts we read about him being in Athens and he preaches amid the temples there. The Greeks believed that a person was made up of a body and a soul. Paul taught that the soul was that part of a person that would live forever. The Greeks were very ready to believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
Paul was able to debate with the Greeks because he took time to understand what they believed. He did not simply dismiss their religion as irrelevant. He showed a respect for it and he tried to learn from those he was preaching to.
Missionaries today try to dialogue with the cultures and religions where they find themselves. Sometimes missionaries are held in suspicion by the institutional church if they seem to put too much credence in other religions.
The documents of Vatican II promoted the idea that interreligious dialogue was a noble goal. Most religions have a common core of beliefs which includes love of neighbor, respect for creation, the promotion of peaceful coexistence and other noble ideals. When Christians show respect for other religions there are more positive results than when we are condemning people who do not believe as we do.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do we ever feel uncomfortable interacting with people who are from other Christian churches? Do we feel like other Christians are wrong in their beliefs if they do not believe exactly like Catholics?
2. Are we curious to know what Jews believe? Do we think they should accept Christian teaching? What beliefs do Jews and Christians share? What other faiths have values like our own?
Dear Parishioners,
As you know, we are slowly starting to share sacraments in our parish again. We have been having communion outside the church the last couple of days. This has been very emotional for people. I cannot imagine being unable to be present at Mass for weeks on end. We Catholics are a sacramental people. That is the core of who we are.
The next step to getting back to normal will be to have times to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We can only have ten people present when we do this in church. We are presently waiting on protocols from the diocese so we may set this up. I should have more information in a few days.
Fr. Louis Tilka will be ordained the Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria on July 23rd. This will take place at the Cathedral in Peoria. The ordination will be low key because of COVID 19. Usually, the ordination of a bishop is a huge celebration. Hopefully, we can have a public event later. Please pray for Fr. Louis.
May our Lady and all the angels and saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark