It’s been a fascinating month! Who could have predicted we would be electing a new pope during Lent? Or that we would live in a time when a pope would resign from office, actually RETIRE, as any government agent, corporate CEO, or ordinary person might do when age and work pressures became too much to handle?
We’ve clearly entered a new age as Catholics, and the person leading us into this fresh, new time in our history is the same person who has forced us backward toward the medieval trappings of Latin Masses, archaic vestments, and a pre-conciliar theology.
Amazing how the Spirit threads its way through the world and the Church, bringing light into dark corners, inviting us to look at where we are as a people and change course in previously unthinkable ways. And how fitting we would be doing this in Lent, a season of introspection, when the whole church is focused on repentance, eradicating sinful attitudes and behaviors, asking forgiveness, seeking reconciliation with those we have injured, for hurts we have caused.
The Cardinals in charge of electing a new pope have been meeting for days to discuss the specific needs of the Church at this time in history. But who speaks for the marginalized and disenfranchised? Who speaks for the female half of the church whose voice is systemically shut out of the Conclave? Who speaks for the children?
Are the Cardinals aware of the depth of brokenness in the Body of Christ? Are they considering the role of church leaders in perpetuating abuse and injustice, with such devastating consequences, throughout the world? Are they experiencing the need for a radical change of heart, for repentance and forgiveness, for a sincere effort toward reconciliation that would allow for a real sense of healing in the Church this Easter?
And all the while I say these things I’m aware of the soul-destroying tendency to point a finger of blame at other human beings who, themselves, suffer temptations as strong and insidious as my own. Self-interest resides in the structural template of human nature. Given the right circumstances, most human beings will succumb to the lure of self-gratification at the expense of others, even if in small ways. For the most part we humans are very good at rationalizing why we deserve the breaks, the rewards, the accolades. Especially in such an individualistic culture as ours, we tend to lean toward self-satisfaction and self-indulgence giving less attention to the needs of others, or the common good.
The parable of the Prodigal Son provides a spiritual window into the reality and challenge of this factor of the human condition. One son’s self-interest leads him to claim his inheritance despite consequences to his family and pain inflicted on his father. In asking for his inheritance BEFORE his father dies he not only forces the pre-mature division of family wealth but effectively declares that his father is now dead to him. He takes what’s his according to law, feeling entitled, turns and walks away. He seems totally self-absorbed and indifferent to the effects his actions might have on his father and family. They seem to mean nothing to him as he runs headlong toward his own pleasure.
The other son has dutifully maintained a commitment to father and family. He has worked hard and taken on more and more responsibility over the years. This has likely required many sacrifices on his part, including the sacrifice of adventure and even many of life’s simple pleasure. He may not know he feels entitled to a reward for his hard work, or that he expects signs of appreciation or even the exclusive esteem of his father, until his brother comes home. When THAT happens and their father greets this wayward no-good with such honor and festivity he feels unappreciated and resentful. His brother is treated like a celebrity when, as far as he’s concerned, the kid should be punished or maybe even disowned for his embarrassing behavior.
But what does their father say to him? “My loved one, you are with me always and everything I have is yours. EVERYTHING! Your brother was dead, he was lost, and now he is in recovery, has found himself, is ALIVE.” I am so grateful he’s alive, that he came back. Please come celebrate with me.
The parable ends but we can imagine how rocky the relationship between these two brothers will be in the days ahead. The dutiful brother has earned his position and authority having learned the business, worked hard and maintained a solid relationship with his father. The Prodigal son gave up any claim to position and authority when he absconded with his inheritance and squandered it on selfish pursuits. Family dynamics can be difficult when a breach of trust, and abuse of power and resources are woven into the family history. The father loves both sons deeply and equally, yet they have made very different choices. Abuses must be addressed and healed; Trust must be regained.
The parable is a mirror for the Cardinals and the whole Catholic world this Lent. The dutiful daughter, whose voice most needs to be heard, will not be present at the Conclave come Tuesday. Only the sons will be there. Just like us, they will have heard Paul’s words to the Corinthians this weekend as he tells them, “the old order has passed away and now all is new! We have been reconciled to God and have been given the ministry of reconciliation.” What, if anything, will they do with these words?
Repentance and reconciliation provide the gateway between violations of trust and the new life promised at Easter. All of us have our work to do in this area, and the leaders of our Church must stand on that public stage and allow the old order to die, new life to unfold, and the ministry of reconciliation to heartfully and earnestly begin. But will they?
“Today,” God tells Joshua, “I have removed the disgrace of slavery from you.” In the Prodigal Son’s case, this is the disgrace of slavery to temptations he was unable or unwilling to recognize as damaging until his money ran out and he was left with nothing.
He remembered his family THEN, swallowed his pride, admitted his mistakes, turned back toward home. Can the Cardinals do this?
It is time for us to admit our mistakes and turn back toward home, both within our personal lives and within our Church. It’s time for the hard work of mending relationships with all the disenfranchised and suffering of our world. It’s time to seek forgiveness for wrongs committed and to dismantle structures that foster temptation and encourage wrongdoing.
We have an extravagantly loving God who never abandons even the worst of criminals and sinners, but that God has given us total freedom. We can shoulder the cross of life’s responsibilities and become a partner in creating a just and compassionate world. We can also choose to follow pleasure wherever it will lead, or power or fame, and make those pursuits the center of our lives. God will love us unconditionally no matter what we choose. We are free. We will reap the rewards and suffer the consequences of our choices, but God’s love will never fail. The work of rebuilding the Church, the government, the community and the family is ours to do. God’s life and inspiration lives within us, but we have access only to the point that we are prayerfully open and truly free from all that threatens to enslave us.
“I have removed the disgrace of slavery from you,” God says to us. “You are a new creation.” “Begin the ministry of reconciliation I have entrusted to you. You are my beloved daughters and sons. Take up those crosses and follow me.
Rev. Toni Tortorilla, Sophia Christi Catholic Community
March 10, 2013, 4th Sunday of Lent
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