We look out on the world, and we see it is very broken by sin. How can we respond? There are diverse ways, which actually have been lived out by various groups throughout the ages. You could withdraw from the world, with a small community of like-minded believers and try to form a new mini-society, uncorrupted by contact with the outside, your own little utopia. You could remain in the world as self-righteous folks, harsh judges and critics. You could just accept the world as it is, as a hardened cynic, an apathetic laxist, or even an enthusiastic joiner.
Sin Is Part of the Human Condition
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls His disciples to approach the sinful world with a surprising combination of outlooks and actions. Jesus begins by simply acknowledging, in an almost matter-of-fact way, that sin is always going to be a part of the human experience. This is a good thing for us to keep in mind. Christianity has never been a faith promising a utopia. This can be a troubling thing for Christians to accept, especially, for instance, when somebody works at a parish or other religious organization for the first time. Sad as it may be to say, every single one of us who works for Holy Cross Family Ministries here in Easton is a sinner, even whichever priest among my brothers is your favorite.
But lest we be tempted to think that Jesus is then just encouraging some form of cynical or lax or hedonistic acceptance, He immediately admonishes His disciples to do all we can not to sin, and especially not to encourage sin in others. Our Lord paints this striking image of sin, especially the act of perpetuating sin, as a huge weight around our necks, dragging us down, making life impossible. And again, we know this to be true, in our individual lives, our families, our workplaces, our parishes, our broader society. As a simple example, if you’ve ever been in a work environment where a culture of gossip reigned, you know both how easily we can get caught in and encourage the habit, and how damaging it can be to our team’s health and life.
Respond with Forgiveness and Reconciliation
But lest we be tempted to think that Jesus thereby is encouraging scrupulosity or moral grandstanding, He immediately teaches what our response to sin must be: constant and untiring forgiveness and reconciliation. Acknowledgement of sin without acceptance. Resistance to sin without judgment of peoples. Patience, mercy, peace-building. This is a complicated, difficult moral mission that our Lord has entrusted to us Christians. It’s hard to believe that it's possible. No wonder that the disciples heard Jesus’ lesson and immediately responded, “Increase our faith.”
And yet, we know that, with faith and prayer, the kind of moral life Jesus describes is possible. Today’s wonderful saint, Pope Leo the Great, is one proof. This man was no dreamer, no utopian idealist. He lived during the decadence and decline of the late Western Roman Empire; he famously negotiated with the warlord Attila the Hun. Yet, St. Leo was also no easy compromiser; on the subtle doctrinal matters of Christ’s divine and human natures, he insisted on a faithfulness to the truth that risked alienating powerful bishops in the more prosperous East.
Still, on matters large and small, St. Leo was a peace-builder, a reconciler, and a merciful father. To resolve those doctrinal disputes, St. Leo convened the fourth great ecumenical council, which not only established orthodoxy, but also condemned religious violence. And, for the ordinary faithful, St. Leo was a gentle shepherd. Against a popular movement that preached human beings could become morally perfect simply by their own will, discipline, and effort, St Leo insisted on the necessity and primacy of God’s mercy and grace. A blessed embodiment of pragmatism, moral integrity, and pastoral forgiveness, St. Leo is a wonderful model for Christian leaders and an inspiration for all believers. May he pray for us!
- Today’s Readings
- Father Charlie's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
