Pastor's Reflection

The other day I found myself watching Going my Way. It has been a moment since I watched this classic and, of course, the first thing to go through my head was, “Hollywood sure doesn’t make them like that anymore.” I have always enjoyed classic films, and there is a tendency to look back with rose-colored glasses on the way things used to be. I am sure we all long for our pews to be overflowing, for our budgets to be a formality because we have more than enough funds, for multiple priests assigned to one parish, and for a bit more innocence in our lives. We all desire to be through this period of rebuilding, and to return to a time of prosperity. 

However, the problem with looking back and thinking everything was perfect gives us a false sense of perfection. The 1950s may have been a time when the pews were full, but it was also a time when the faith was more concerned with memorizing teachings rather than understanding them. This was a time when there were more than enough priests for ministry, but tragically, as we are aware, it was a time when some of the abuse was taking place among the clergy. This was a time when the Church had plenty of power and influence, but sadly did not have as much humility. There has never been a time when the institutional Church has been perfect. We are always, in a sense, rebuilding and now that rebuilding is very public.

I bring up this point because it is so easy for us to look back than to look forward. The past is safe, we know what happened. We live in an age of uncertainty. This can cause a lot of anxieties, stress and fear. However, this is the age that God called us to serve the Church. Each and every one of us has a role in the Church, making Christ present today to the people. While, at times, it may seem like too much for us to handle, the past does offer us some hope. We have survived worse. We’ve had bad popes, bad priests, we’ve fought religious wars, we’ve held views about our neighbor which were far from the Gospel. And yet the Holy Spirit continues to guide us, the saints continue to offer us examples of holy living, and God continues to offer us His love. 

We can take this week as an opportunity to reflect on the question: Where is God calling me today? How can I help the Church and be a witness to God’s love? What is it about me that can help rebuild the Church in 2024?

In Christ,
Fr. Chris