Sunday Homily, November 9, 2014, Lateran Basilica
Readings:
Ezekiel 47, 1-2, 8-9, 12, I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple.
Psalm 46, The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.
1 Corinthians 3, 9-11, 16-17, You are God’s building
John 2, 13-22, He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple.
Introduction and homily by Mike
Introduction: The first reading is a prophesy from Ezekiel to the Jews in exile that they would return to Jerusalem, rebuild the temple, and when it was finished living water would pour forth from it. Jesus Christ fulfills the yearning for his coming given by Ezekiel. His living waters, his life giving words, pour forth the Holy Spirit to abide in living temples, the hearts of those who welcome and live the good news.
Homily: The inspired writers of the Scriptures were quite clear in telling us that God has no favorites. In the Church, Greek and Jew, male and female, free or slave, all have been called to be together as one royal priesthood, the people of God, the Body of Christ in the world.
The Vatican II documents of the Roman Catholic Church began the process of tearing down barriers between Catholics, other Christian denominations and other religions as well, teaching that all who seek God have been called to oneness in Christ. As Vatican II began to wind down, Pope Paul VI asked for the formation of an advisory council to assist him; it would be called the Synod of Bishops.
It became a permanent council that currently numbers 191 bishops; and they all met last month for two weeks at Francis’ request to address, as honestly as possible, the positions that each of them held on questions relating to marriage and divorce, ordination of women and married men, birth control and homosexuality.
According to the news reports these bishops could not come to a consensus in their reply to Francis, for they failed to meet in a spirit of collegiality and collaboration. The irony of course is that the synod addresses the family, and none of them are married or are women. Needless to say, Francis was not impressed with the initial results.
He has asked these bishops, again, to enter into a welcoming and listening position, a dialog, with one another and with the people they have been appointed to serve, together they comprise the Royal Priesthood. Francis has asked his bishops to listen with hearts filled with goodness and justice, tenderness and compassion. He has asked them to follow the commandment that Christ taught, ‘love one another as I have loved you.’
Francis has given them 12 months to provide for him a group consensus to each of his questions. Here’ are some of the consensus replies that I hope will be coming from Francis at the end of the Synod:
1) Since women in the Church have discerned that the Holy Spirit is leading them to seek ordination, they will be allowed to enter the formal discernment process for the diaconate.
2) Men and women who are divorced and have remarried have been seeking permission from the Church to receive the Eucharist. The Church will invite the divorced and remarried to marriage enrichment; the completion of the workshop will include a celebration of forgiveness with the reception of the Eucharist.
3) Married men who have a calling to the ordained priesthood can begin the formal process of discernment to the priesthood.
4) If the personal conscience of a married couple is to use birth control during the marriage act, it must be for a serious reason associated with the well being of either party. Both parties must first be well informed on the teachings of the Church on the sacredness of life; new life that they have conceived must never be aborted; their mutual love must always trump a desire for material wealth.
5) Homosexuals should have an opportunity to seek the sacraments and welcomed to share their gifts and talents within the Christian community.
6) Francis could eliminate the misnomer, ‘the laity,’ for all who welcome and live the good news are together the Royal Priesthood! The Mass is the Prayer of the People of God. Francis should invite us to pray the Eucharistic Prayer together, led by those we have ordained. Together, in oneness, we ask that the Holy Spirit come upon the Bread blessed and broken for us to be the Body of Christ in the world.