Hostility

The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. 

Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” 

When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. (Luke 11:47-54)

“…for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say,” rings true at Christ the King and I suspect wherever one’s political persuasion colors what is heard when listening to homilies given by priests and deacons.  We preach the Gospel and what it implies about social justice and many morality issues unfortunately interpreted by some as veiled criticism of their political party or figure. Some in the pews wait to catch us at something we might say.

The result is a communication of some sort with the pastor about “politics from the pulpit.”  This emotionally charged issue is covered quite well in CTK’s Draft Strategic Plan.  It is also dealt with quite effectively by Father Healey in the coming week’s Pastor’s Pen.  Please read his commentary.

Hostility about homilies has no place in our church.  There can be disagreements, but that should spark polite discussion and not angry discourse and further division.  

With the mid-term elections occurring a little later this year, parishioners’ emotions will run high.  The best advice I can provide is WWJD or “What would Jesus say” to those of us who are quick to plot and condemn?

Deacon David Pierce