An Introduction to the Readings
Acts 8:5-8,14-17 Ps 65 1 Pet 3:15-18 or 4:13-16 Jn 14:15-21 or 17:1-11
After Stephen had been killed, Saul led “a great persecution” against the Church in Jerusalem. As a consequence the Hellenists were driven out of Jerusalem and Philip takes the gospel to Samaria. Peter and John came to investigate these first non-Jew converts. The apostles confirmed their membership by laying hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Peter continues his advice to Christians suffering abuse and ridicule from their non-Christian neighbours. Do not be afraid! Gently but firmly stick to your principles, being ready to explain your reasons politely. And rejoice that your sufferings enable you to share in Christ’s sufferings so that you may share in his glory.
In John’s Gospel description of the Last Supper, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to continue his work after he returns to his Father. The supper ends with Jesus’ great prayer to his Father for the Church he is leaving behind. All three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in the gospels, but the Church only gradually developed its understanding of the Trinity over many centuries. We believe that the Spirit “proceeds” from the Father and the Son (filioque). The Orthodox Church says that the Spirit comes from the Father through the Son.
Psalm Response: Cry out with joy to God all the earth.
FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART
Fr. Bernardino Andrade
CORRUPTION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
I met Fr. Walter Burghardt in 1984 during my Sabbatical at the University of Notre Dame, USA. I had heard about him and after that I attended one of his workshops on Social Justice. Preaching and Social Justice were his main field. He is the author of many books and articles. During this workshop I asked him about his «Uncommonly Confession». He confessed this was one of his most famous texts. Today I want to share his «Uncommonly Confession» and I also want to confess that I identify myself, one hundred per cent, with Father Walter.
UNCOMMONLY CONFESSION
Let me make an uncommonly confession.
In the course of a half century, I have seen more Catholic corruption than you have read of. I have tasted it. I have been reasonably corrupt myself, and yet, I joy in this Church . this living, pulsing sinning people of God, love it with a crucifying passion. Why? For all the Catholic hate, I experience here a community of love. For all the institutional idiocy, I find here a tradition of reason. For all the individual repressions, I breathe here an air of freedom. For all the fear of sex, I discover here the redemption of my body. In an age so inhuman, I touch here tears of compassion. In a world so grim and humourless, I share here rich joy and earthly laughter. In the midst of death , I hear an incomparable stress on life. For all the apparent absence of God, I sense here the real presence of Christ.
Fr. Walter J. Burghardt, S. J.