Father Thomas Welbers' Homily	Jump back to Homily Index
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 22, 2004 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 Luke 6:27-38	Listen to Audio

If we really listen to the words of Jesus, we find that the Golden Rule is not so easy. None of us does it well. And yet we are often more critical of how others follow it than we are of how we put it into practice.

The problems facing the Church in the United States are all too well known through reports in the media – and, for some, painfully through their own experience. It is true that it’s not easy to be a Catholic these days. But for those who take the faith seriously, it has never been easy. It’s true that members of the body of Christ – and the body as a whole, the Church – are hurting these days. That’s nothing new. That was the story of Jesus himself on the cross, and it’s been the story of his Church throughout the ages.

This past week, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles published a comprehensive report on what we have known in bits and pieces. Often the response of our Church in general, and sometimes Cardinal Mahony in particular, has been seen from only one side – the side that the media gives. The Church’s actions have not always been above criticism, but they haven’t always been fairly or completely presented in the media either, as you can see if you read the report. A summary of the report is an insert in our bulletin this week. The full text of the report is on the Archdiocesan website, and is also available at the welcome table in the patio outside church.

This coming week, we can expect to be more in the news because two national reports on the extent of this abuse, prepared under the auspices of the US Bishops, will be released next Friday. Within the next few weeks a report from the Vatican will also be released. It too is sure to provoke controversy. One thing I ask, before you simply believe all that you hear, check the sources, and evaluate for yourself. I am posting on our OLA parish website a lot of links to the relevant documents and other information to help us to think about this issue – and to pray about it.

Nobody said the way of Jesus would be easy – and in this day and age it is so easily distorted and rejected. We must be steadfast in prayer and support of one another.

© Thomas Welbers 2004