Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

It is fitting that on the Octave of Christmas we should celebrate the motherhood of Mary. The Octave feasts always tease out the implications of the mystery that has been celebrated, for example, the Octave of Easter speaks of the Divine Mercy and the Octave of the Assumption the Queenship of Mary. If Jesus is the Son of God and MAry is his mother then she is the Mother of God. This simultaneously asserts both the divine and human natures of Christ. It is this mystery into which we are born in baptism: "So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God." (Gal. 4: 7) Through this process of adoption we can claim Mary as our mother, too. The Second vatican Council states: "Predestined from eternity by that decree of divine providence which determined the incarnation of the Word to be the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin was in this earth the virgin Mother of the Redeemer, and above all others and in a singular way the generous associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. She conceived, brought forth and nourished Christ. she presented Him to the Father in the temple, and was united with Him by compassion as He died on the Cross. In this singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Saviour in giving back supernatural life to souls. Wherefore she is our mother in the order of grace." (LG 61) In a sense today's feast is a celebration of our own nativity in baptism. 

Feast of the Holy Family

The Gospel tells us: "When Mary and Joseph had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him." (Lk 2: 39-40) This brief reference provides a cultural, geographical and religious context for the Jesus as well as the pre-conditions for the development of a healthy child. He did not grow up in a vacuum. How many children today are born to a law abiding couple (in the religious sense of the term) who have the stability  of relationship, place and cultural identity? So many are prey to uncertainty and a lack of even a basic sense of the patrimony passed on at great cost by their ancestors? Even the spelling of their names shows forth a rootless and shallow milieu with no real connection to the past and little thought as to what is required for the future. Does no one think about the child trying to fit their name on a passport application or being burdened with the obligation to spell their name every time they say it!? More and more priests and believing grandparents feel aghast and helpless as they see the precious Catholic heritage tossed out to make way for "bread and the circus." The writer of the letter to the Hebrews warns us: "See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears." (Heb. 12: 16-17). The advice to the Colossians still holds good: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in he name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col 3: 16-17)

  

Christmas Message

One of my cherished memories of Christmas, growing up and still today, has been listening to the list of titles given for the long awaited Messiah, in the reading from the prophet Isaiah from our First Reading at the night Mass: "For a child has been born to us, a son given to us; authority rests on his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Is. 9: 6) People then, as for today, were afflicted with all manner of threats to their safety and prosperity. Life has changed and so has its challenges but we are still in need of the same love and reassurance. The message of Christmas is just the tonic we need. Christ is our redeemer! As victor over sin and death in his resurrection he answered all our needs and desires super-abundantly. Christmas is the dawn of God's love shining on a darkened and anxious world with the promise of endless day. This we taste in sacrament as already reigning in our hearts: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry ''Abba! Father!' it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.." (Rom 8: 15-16)  We rejoice in God's love today and its that love which overflows to our families, friends, fellow parishioners and strangers in the street or waiting in line at the supermarket. Whatever our situation let the joy of Christmas fill our hearts since: "You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, a people exult when dividing the plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian." (Is. 9: 3-4) Happy Christmas everyone! 

4th Sunday of Advent

Today we hear the beautiful story of the Annunciation. The dialogue between the archangel Gabriel and a virgin called Mary stirs our hearts. Would she not have been so young to make such a momentous decision? Yet, she is humble and courageous in her response. She knows that what the angel is saying is amazing yet she is able to take the message on board and say: "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." (Lk 1: 38) This can be contrasted with Zechariah's defiance when the same angel brought him good news which answered his prayers over so many years. Gabriel tells him: "But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur." (Lk 1: 20) The priest is shown up by the teenager for lack of faith! Let us imitate the Blessed Virgin in her holiness, obedience and courage: "By reason of the gift and role of divine maternity, by which she is united with her Son, the Redeemer, and with His singular graces and functions, the Blessed Virgin is also intimately united with the Church. As St. Ambrose taught, the Mother of God is a type of the Church in the order of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ. For in the mystery of the Church, which is itself rightly called mother and virgin, the Blessed Virgin stands out in eminent and singular fashion as exemplar both of virgin and mother. By her belief and obedience, not knowing man but overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, as the new Eve she brought forth on earth the very Son of the Father, showing an undefiled faith, not in the word of the ancient serpent, but in that of God's messenger. The Son whom she brought forth is He whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren, namely the faithful, in whose birth and education she cooperates with a maternal love." (Lumen gentium, 63)

3rd Sunday of Advent

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near." (Phil. 4: 4) This is the entrance antiphon for Mass on the Third Sunday of Advent which gives us the reference for the expression Gaudete Sunday, taken from the Latin word, second person plural imperative,  for "rejoice!" I like to think of joy as being the fulfillment of hope. Our hope is that not only we receive of the benefits of the Lord in this life but we will be with him forever in the next. We rejoice to see that the birthday of the Lord is near since the Incarnation was a new birth for humanity. In our baptism we were born into the relationship with God enjoyed by Christ as of right. As adopted children we anticipate a share in his inheritance. Throughout Advent we have been looking to prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming feast: "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry 'Abba! Father!' it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and  if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may be glorified with him." (Romans 8: 14-17) Advent then speaks not only to birth but also to suffering and death since we share in his Passion as well as his Nativity.

2nd Sunday of Advent

Today we hear the exhortation of St John the Baptist: "'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight'." (Mark 1: 4) In New Zealand we constantly see work being done on motorways to straighten them so as to make travel by motor vehicles quicker, safer and easier. By analogy, Advent is a time when we seek to straighten out the twists and turns in our spiritual and moral life so as to make the movement of the Holy Spirit easier and more effective in our lives. When I am distracted by anger, frustration, hurt feelings, resentment and bitterness I am less able to receive the Lord in my heart. Let us not emulate the secular world for whom the celebration of Christmas concludes on Christmas Day. We have the whole of Christmastide to rejoice in the birth of our Saviour and enter into the mystery of the Incarnation through the great feasts of that season. For us Advent is a time of spiritual reflection and preparation for anticipating the Second Coming and celebrating the First Coming even  if we have secular obligations to attend to. Integral to our spiritual preparation is the sacrament of penance. It is an ideal way to enact the spiritual roadworks that open up my soul to the Lord who loved us so much that he not only became human like us but also died for us while we were still sinners: "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person - although perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 6-8)   

1st Sunday of Advent

The First and Second Readings on this day, at the start of a new liturgical year, both speak of confidence in God's mercy and love. In the First Isaiah is mindful of the failings of the people and longs for the Messiah to vindicate God's rule: "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence." (Is. 64: 1) In the Second St Paul encourages the Corinthians to be faithful so they may continue in their faith until the Lord returns as he promised: "He will strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 1: 8) Surrounded as we are with all the tinsel and blandishments of consumerism it is possible for us to lose heart. The apostasy of Western civilization to materialism, scientism and other idealogies antithetical to the Gospel can cause us sadness. How could people who have known the hope of the Gospel turn aside to other gods and other empty promises?: "Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water." (Jer. 2: 11-13).The answer is for us, in this season of preparation, to renew our trust in God and in his ways: "Yet, O Lord , you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Is. 64: 8) We do this through prayer and alms giving along with a reaffirmation in the power of God to save even when, as we see in the lead up to Jesus' birth, that all appeared to be lost.

Christ the King

It is difficult for us to appreciate what a king would have meant to people in the time of Jesus. The early Christians saw Jesus primarily as the Good Shepherd and later on as the Pantocrator - ruler of the Universe. The latter would have been influenced by the new status of Christianity under the emperor Constantine. Today's feast, however, is not an ancient one. It was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 amid the rise of fascism in Europe. Benito Mussolini had come to power on 1922. Jesus reign as Universal King began at the Crucifixion and he is enthroned on his Cross. Conquering sin and death he did as he prophesied: "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (Jn 12: 31-32) Sin no longer reigns unopposed in this world but continues to struggle and win over people to the rule of Satan. Nevertheless, the end of the Universe is clear: "And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." (Heb 9: 27-28) The question is whether we are prepared for when the King returns? Have we manifested the fruit of his grace in our lives?

33rd Week in Ordinary Time

There is an attitude in our society and even sometimes among churchgoers that if there is life after death, however you might think of it, everyone will enter beatitude - no questions asked. In other words, there is no sense that there is a judgement or accountability for what we have done during our lives. St Paul is clear on this: "For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each must receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Cor 5: 10) In today's Gospel the Lord says: "For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away." (Mtt 25: 29) God cannot lie! He will not invent a life of good deeds and truth when what was there was in fact a lie. Such people who lack any reception of God's grace will experience further loss in eternal death while those who have cooperated with grace will receive even greater grace in eternal life. The onus is on us, assisted by grace, to use that beautiful gift to love God and our neighbour in such a way that we all hear the words: "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." (Matt 25: 23)

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Recently I spoke to a woman who was back in Whanganui visiting her elderly mother who was unwell. One of five siblings she left the others behind as she came to the Vigil Mass. They said to her: "You can go for us." Today's gospel reminds us that such an attitude is not a valid one for the Kingdom of Heaven. Catholics all have the lamp of faith through baptism yet not all are wise. The oil of prayer and the sacraments keeps the lamp of faith burning throughout our lives. Those Catholics are foolish who neglect the obligation of their religion and coast along oblivious to the danger that they will be bereft when the time comes whether it be of trial, sickness or even death. I remember a saying of the lay evangelist Jan Heath who said: "God has children. He does not have grandchildren." It is incumbent on all the baptized to appropriate their faith and to live it out according to the gifts given them by the Holy Spirit. It is true that: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph. 2: 8-9), however, we also need to cooperate with grace to accomplish the redemption offered us in Christ. "Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; for the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." (Romans 13: 11-14)

31st Week in Ordinary Time

Having just dealt severely to the challenges of the Pharisees and other opponents Jesus, in this week's Gospel, actually affirms them! He acknowledges their legitimacy as teachers since they "sit in Moses' chair." (Mtt 23: 2) however he does not recommend that his disciples emulate their conduct. I think everyone would be aware that not all Pharisees would be self-seeking, hypocritical, pretentious, social climbing sycophants, however, the behaviours described would not be unknown then and even now. This is ultimately the point. The message is not for the Jews, it is for us. As disciples we must not fall into the traps that ensnare individuals living in faith communities and churches. We are challenged to live as Christ lived for we have been warned. It is not a question of "if" or "maybe" rather: "All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted." (Mtt 23: 12) 

500th Anniversary of the Reformation

In this parish there will be, tomorrow, a symposium on the effects of the Reformation with speakers from the Catholic and Lutheran communities leading us. Many people still struggle to deal with the theological questions of the history and prefer to focus on things like the corruption of the papacy and the sale of indulgences. At a theological level the issue is fundamentally that of mediation. The Protestant ideas of sola scriptura, sola fide and sola gratia downplay, if not excluding altogether, the actions of human beings in cooperating with God's saving plan. Martin Luther saw salvation and redemption as an opus Dei - the work of God.This, ultimately, has serious implications for our faith. I like Yves Congar's comment on this issue:

"But if neither the human race as such, nor the Church, nor Our Lady has any active part in the work of salvation the question cannot but occur what of the cooperation of Christ's human nature? If we disagree about the Church and Our Lady for the same reason as we do about the idea of a pure opus Dei in which God alone is active in the work of salvation, this third problem must be faced. Are we not also in disagreement about the part played by Christ's humanity in the same work? [...] For if salvation is wholly an opus Dei, the sole act of God, what becomes of the part played by Christ's humanity itself, since our own part, and the parts of Our Lady and the Church are held to have no place. God, according to Luther, does our work in us. Faith, the one thing that should respond to us to God's action is, in his view, itself the work of God."

The danger of such a theology, therefore, lies in a denial of Christ's humanity and bodiliness. That is a heresy called Docetism. The work of salvation is spiritualised to such an extent that we are in danger of being captured by subjectivism and newer forms of gnosticism - the secret knowledge of the Scriptures frees us from sinful material reality and elevates us to the spiritual realms far away from the messiness of the material world. God can also become so distant and inaccessible that he is no longer Abba - Father. We turn in on ourselves, as a result, and our faith becomes a projection of our own needs and desires rather than the objective revelation of God's love for us in Christ Jesus and the hope of a resurrection of the body.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Looking at the three controversies in the Gospel of Matthew we can see that prior to today's Gospel there was the question of paying taxes then the issue of the Resurrection followed by the present topic of the Law. Next, there would be the Messiah, although this is omitted in our lectionary for Year A, as is the gospel on the dispute with the Sadducees. All of these were controversial to the various parties present at the time of Jesus and thus required a response from him and his followers as they proclaimed the Gospel. Jesus is remarkably concise in what he says and uses the Torah to great effect. He does not try to evade the issue at point nor does he engage in extended moralizing. His attitude and method serves for us today as we need to defend the faith and articulate the Good News to a hardened and often cynical world: "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do so with reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil." (1 Peter 3: 15-18)

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the background of today's Gospel is the Scripture where God says, when making humans: "Let us make mankind in our own image." (Gen 1: 26) Jesus asks those trying to trap him over taxes: "Whose head is this, and whose title." (Mtt 22: 20) His riposte to his antagonists: "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mtt 22: 21) means that the money belongs to the emperor while everything else, which bears the stamp of the triune Creator (as St Augustine would put it the vestigia Trinitatis) belongs to God. Of late the New Zealand government, along with others around the world, has seen fit to extend its power beyond that of taxes to "redefine" marriage. From where do they get their authority? Time will tell as to whether the "emperor" indeed has the power to change the nature of the human person: "But from the beginning of creation 'God made them male and female' " (Mk 10: 6) or whether, on this occasion as on others, the emperor has no clothes.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The death of the Catholic Church has been predicted many times. Nevertheless, even over the centuries religious faith has waxed and waned along with changes in society. For instance, the Eighteenth Century was very skeptical while the nineteenth was a time of great religious revival. In the media we often get told that the churches are empty. Well, mine is not! It may not be filled with the young, the rich or the trendy but it is certainly not empty. The people we tend to find there are the lowly, the humble and the anonymous. The Gospel today is true, not only for its time, but for today: "The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find into the wedding banquet." (Mtt 22: 8-9) The Lord will not eat alone. The banquet that is the Mass has been set by him at the Last Supper and he invites all nations and peoples to receive of his hospitality. Despite this, we still need to be attentive that our response is not one of entitlement as shown by the man who did not have a wedding robe. The Lord may be generous but he is not a fool. It should not be a surprise, however, that those who attend the Eucharist are a minority: "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Mtt 22: 14)

   

27th Week in Ordinary Time

Each of the Gospels for the last three weeks has had a sting in the tail. First there was "So the last will be first and the first will be last" (Mtt 20: 16), then "For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him" (Mtt 21: 32) and this week, "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom." (Mtt 21: 43) These are all clear warnings against presumption and entitlement that can mean disciples fall away and yield to sin. Being a Christian means being ever attentive to the challenge of the Gospel and not considering that we have fulfilled our redemption before arriving at our true destination: "For  here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come." (Heb 13: 14) This means we have to put up with trials and tribulations trusting in the hope that is given us in Christ Jesus. We cannot let our initial "yes" become a subsequent "no" through our behaviour that not only imperils our souls but causes scandal to others: "See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears." (Heb 12: 16-17)

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Catholics is it ever too late? Often we have people die on us or situations which deteriorate beyond our reach. Time is like a river and flows on. Nevertheless, I can be left with the heartache for what could have been. Thanks to the Mass we know that it is never "too late." Offered both for the living and the dead the sacrifice of the Mass is there for all including those who have gone on ahead of us. The Gospel today tells us that God does not give up on us and likewise we should not give up on him. What it takes is for us to respond in faith and accept the offer of his grace. St Paul tells us: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regards others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." (Phil 2: 4-5) It is pride which gets in the road of genuine conversion even when I think that somehow my sins are so heinous that they cannot be forgiven! We need to trust that for God, to whom everyone is alive, it is never too late for healing and salvation as we await the Final Judgment. Let us not succumb to the temptation to give up. Rather let us always turn to God and acknowledge his mercy and love for the marvel it really is: "Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die." (Ezek 18: 28)

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

One can imagine what it may have been like in the 1st Century for day-labourers, anxious to get enough money to feed their families, to compete for jobs in a limited market. How they must have jostled and shoved to get in position for the attention of the landowner! The landowner, the Lord, on this occasion agrees for the first workers to pay what is just, the usual daily wage, while he offers to pay the rest: "whatever is right." (Mtt 20: 4) The workers, many of whom are starving, take up the offer not knowing what that will mean. Even the last workers, who have waited for the whole of the day, are prepared to work any time in the hope of getting something. The landowner, in paying them all the same, gives them all enough for their families regardless of time worked. This is the opposite to the concept of "survival of the fittest' deployed by Darwin. It is the compassion and mercy of a loving God who sees our needs and loves us even when we have not responded to him until late in the day. On the other hand we should not, in hardness of heart, resent that others find mercy, likewise, who have come to the Lord in the eleventh hour. Heaven forbid that I would hear the reproach: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous." (Mtt 20: 15) 

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What is my attitude to life? And, necessarily at the same time, what is my attitude to death? St Paul says: "For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me...". (Phil 1: 21-22) This is consistent with what he wrote to the Corinthians: "Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." (2 Cor 5: 8-9) Rather than removing him from the world Paul's Christian faith motivated him and carried him through much adversity: "Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night adrift at sea..." (2 Cor 11: 24-25). Do I use my faith to carry me through? We are aware that we do not rely on our resources alone. It is Christ Jesus and the hope he gives us that infuses our life with joy and the ability to endure come what may: "So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12: 9-10)

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The first reading this week from the Book of Sirach, called elsewhere Ecclesiasticus, is especially powerful: "Anger and wrath, these are abominations, yet a sinner holds on to them." (Sirach 27: 30) Notice that the sin lies not in anger or wrath themselves but in the holding on to them. Anger, in itself, is an emotion and is not morally culpable but what I do with it is another matter. Sin is always a choice. It is tempting, for anyone, to hold onto victimhood and offense. Our society sees value in grievances. The danger is that we forget mercy and love that call us to "turn the other cheek" (Mtt 5: 39) and "go also the second mile" (Mtt 5: 41). Our Lord practised this on the cross when he said: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Lk 23: 34) How can we put our anger into persepective without turning it in on ourselves? The same reading from Sirach gives us the remedy: remember the end of your life; remember corruption and death; remember the commandments; remember the covenant of the Most High. If we do this before we give vent to our anger we will be less likely to cause enduring hurt, damage relationships or poison our own soul.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Have you ever tried to resolve a difficulty with someone as the Lord teaches? What I find is that I usually do it in reverse order! I tell the world how I am aggrieved and then a small group of people and then finally, after a long period of complaining and self-righteousness, I get around to talking to the person him or herself. Then I find that the person was either unaware of the offense or was sincerely sorry for anything that had caused unhappiness. In the meantime I have spread poison throughout the community and even possible damaged the standing of the individual in the eyes of others. Another speciality I indulge in is to keep quiet and stew over the grievance. The anger gradually works through my system and ends us coming out in surprising and bitter ways sometimes to the person but also it can be inflicted on others who have no idea of where this petulance has come from. Dealing with conflict is not easy. It requires honesty, empathy and compassion as well as a dose of humility. I need to think of the other person as well as the rest of the community ahead of my own needs. When I try to articulate the offence I can also find that I either provoked the incident or I misunderstood it all along. Perhaps, to set aside my own outrage is an example, from last week's Gospel, of losing my life so that it might be saved. 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's gospel, taken togerther with the previous week shows how we can struggle as Christians to focus on Christ. Peter is inspired one minute: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven" (Mtt 16: 17) and the next, a mere six verses later, he is trapped by worldy considerations: " 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.' " (Mtt 16: 23) This tells us of the need we have to maintain vigilance against worldly temptations especially those that seek to deny the humanity of Christ or rebel at the thought of the Cross. Jesus teaches Peter and us the hard lesson "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mtt 16: 24) In what ways can I say that in the past week have I denied myself? Have I accepted the cross in my life? Have a been a stumbling block to Christ through my judgementalism, narrowness of vision and reluctance to carry the cross of compassion and reconciliation?

Thought for the Day August 28 - September 3

Thought for the Day

August 28 – September 2

Day One

In this series of reflections, in the context of an impending general election I will look at how Christians can engage with politics. Sadly, in past centuries, religion has been mis-used on occasion to fight wars or to distort political processes. Nevertheless, faith and religion remain as influences on voters and I maintain can be a force for good in helping believers to make constructive and rational choices consistent with both Christian teaching and the welfare of the wider community.  Freedom of religion, as a right, means individuals can articulate their beliefs in the public space. This is broader  than freedom of conscience which allows for a subjective, interior capacity to make choices. The way to do this I propose is to look at a series of unities that bring people together and help to overcome divisions that lead to conflict.

Day Two

The first of the unities we belong to is that of the human family. In the 1960s this was sometime referred to as the “family of Man.” We have a common origin and Christians believe that we also have a shared destiny since God: “... desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2: 4) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 speaks of inalienable rights proper to every human being. They cannot be legislated for or bestowed by any government neither can they be taken away. The Church has had a part over the centuries in articulating these rights and has an ongoing obligation to ensure that they are safeguarded. It is through an awareness of our fundamental unity as human beings that we can have empathy, compassion and concern for each other that helps overcome prejudice, misunderstandings and fear.

Day Three

Another unity is that of Christians in Jesus Christ, which impels them to take his teaching to the world: “As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (Jn 17: 21) The Church does not compete with civil powers rather it looks to imbue society with holiness: “To sum up all in one word - what the soul is in the body, that are Christians in the world. The soul is dispersed through all the members of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, yet is not of the body; and Christians dwell in the world, yet are not of the world. The invisible soul is guarded by the visible body, and Christians are known indeed to be in the world, but their godliness remains invisible.” (Letter to Diognetus)

Day Four

The relationship of  the Church to civil society is best described as a cooperation which admits of various degrees. The two parties have different goals: in the case of the Church it is the salvation of souls while the state exists for the welfare of the citizens. Sometimes, they are clearly distinct, as when the Church gathers people for prayer or the state legislates for the road rules. Yet, other times they work closely together in education, social welfare and the promotion of public values: “Catholics should try to cooperate with all men and women of good will to promote whatever is true, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever lovable (cf. Phil. 4:8). They should hold discussions with them, excel them in prudence and courtesy, and initiate research on social and public practices which should be improved in line with the spirit of the Gospel.” (Decree on the Laity, 10)

Day Five

The last unity I will speak of is that among Catholics. As a world wide communion Catholics are united under the Pope and the College of Bishops. The hierarchy looks to inform the consciences of Catholics so that they exercise their rights according to the teachings of the Church.  Recently, the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand published  a  2017 Election Statement. They wrote: “Faith shapes our world view. Faith guides our political choices. Faith demands that we take our duty to vote very seriously. Your vote is not just a vote for you. Your vote is a vote for New Zealand. This means that we expect of our politicians and our political parties a vision for the home we call Aotearoa. Indeed, in scripture we read ‘where there is no vision the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18). This is not a directive as to one’s vote but an exhortation to think.

Day Six

Some of the areas mentioned by the Catholic Bishops in their statement on the coming election include: pro-life policies, bicultural New Zealand, cultural diversity, caring for our planet, fair tax structure, mental health and affordable housing. None of these areas are monopolised by any political party. It is up to Catholic voters to use their reason and conscience, informed by Church values and teaching, to freely vote. I think this is the case for most Christians, too. Quite possibly this will mean different outcomes for different voters. Nevertheless, each will be informed by a faith response to how the unities mentioned in these reflections can be safeguarded. Faith and religion can be shown as motivators and guarantors of civilised political debate. They are a catalyst for the kind of  cooperation that unites all citizens to work together for a better and fairer society marked by justice, peace and goodwill.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Writing in 1959, Pope St John XXII wrote:I"As it is said of the short dialogue between the angel and Mary in the sacred silence of Nazareth, that sums up the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption of the world, thus the Tu es Christus filius Dei vivi [You are Christ Son of the living God] of Peter and the reply of Jesus, Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo [You are Peter and on this rock I will build] established the structure of the Catholic Church. In fact, by means of the divine Motherhood of Mary, the Word of God was made man and redemption and salvation occurred. With the act of faith in Christ, Son of the living God, the response of Tu es Petrus [You are Peter] of Jesus and with it the institution of the Church. Thus the salvation of the world is achieved." From this we can see that the dialogue between Jesus and Peter at Ceasarea Phillipi was not just a private conversation. It is constitutive of the Church. To this end it is impossible to imagine the Church without the Petrine office just as we cannot imagine the Incarnation without the cooperation of Our Lady.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the Gospel today I feel compelled to admire the persistence and temerity of the Canaanite woman. She knows that she is an outsider yet she will not let anything stop her from getting to Jesus to put forward her request. Often we see people in the Gospel coming forward to Jesus to ask him for a favour however, on this occasion, the woman like Bartimaeus is so desperate that she is shouting. Like him she is disregarded as an inconvenience and others, who are closer to the Lord, discourage her. Also, like him, she has an incomplete sense of who he is calling him; "Lord, Son of David." (Mtt 15: 22) The Lord himself, initially, does not seem interested. Yet, the woman comes forward and kneels at his feet. Her rejoinder to his quip about throwing the children's food to the "puppies" earns even his admiration. All this goes to show that when we want something and have faith we will not give up easily. Did not Jesus tell us the parable of the importunate widow? (Lk 18: 1-8) We need to imitate the humility and persistence of the Canaanite woman so as to break though our own internal barriers of faith to a new level of trust in God and his care for us even when it seems, on occasion, that he doesn't seem to care?

Feast of the Assumption

One of the dangers I perceive in honouring the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, without remembering her role as exemplar of the Church, is that we separate her off from the rest of humanity. She is not a goddess. She has priority in our affections and our esteem however, like our own mothers, her humanity remains only it has been glorified in the resurrection in a way that we pray, in due course, all of us will be. Vatican II tells us: " In the interim just as the Mother of Jesus, glorified in body and soul in heaven, is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected is the world to come, so too does she shine forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, as a sign of sure hope and solace to the people of God during its sojourn on earth." (Lumen Gentium, 68) It is clear from today's Second Reading that the resurrection of the dead will not happen all at once. St Paul tells us: "For since death came through ahuman being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be mnade alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ." (1 Cor 15: 22-23) Our Lady gives us hope that we can join Christ in his glory if we imitate her in her holiness, docility to God's will and faitfhfulness to her Son. Her intercession assists us in our prayers and inspires us to greater devotion. She does indeed proceed us but this was so that she might light the way to those who follow.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The walking of Peter on water is a curious story in the Gospel. We are accustomed to thinking of the Lord and his miracles but we do not think of others as participating directly in them. Individuals are the objects of miraculous activity not subjects of it! Yet, here we have Peter being given the chance to join the Lord as he walks on the Sea of Galilee! It is amazing the Peter should even ask to join the Lord but how much more so that the Lord should say "yes"! Things become business as usual and it does not take long: "But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord save me'! " (Mtt 14: 30) Is it the case that I get the "speed wobbles" when I see the Holy Spirit at work in my life? Am I ambitious for the work of the Lord? The danger is that I write a "spiritual cheque" to sign up for holiness and discipleship things can get tough and I am losing control of my life so I as for the chque back. Surely, with the lesson of the Gospel in front of us we can trust God more and allow him to call us to join with him when see him as he "walks on the water."

The Transfiguration

The Transfiguration is an event that was memorable for the disciples who were present to it. The Second Reading tells of Peter recalling: "We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain." (2 Pet 1: 18) Nevertheless, two of the apostles who were there for the revelation of Christ's glory, fled at the time of the Passion and initially doubted the veracity of the Resurrection. So it can be with us. We are privileged to have spiritual experiences and enlightenment but we fail to understand them or see how they impact on our lives. Years later, after a period of doubt and suffering, the memory may re-surface and help to restore our faith in God. Our own transfiguration experiences therefore can serve the purpose of the Transfiguration in overcoming the scandal of the Cross in our own lives and open us up to the fulfilment of God's promises. Peter writes: So we have the prophetic meesage more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Pet 1: 19)

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are two examples of people finding treasure in the Gospel today. First, there is the accidental finding of treasure in a field. As we go along in our everyday life we can bump into God or stumble across the work of the Holy Spirit. Second, there is the intentional search for the "pearl of great price." Here the individual knows what s/he is looking for and sets out to find it. In both cases what is important is the recognition that treasure has in fact been found and the courage to take the plunge in doing whatever is required to acquire it. If you are baptised and attending Mass chances are that you are looking for the Kingdom of God. Nevetheless, have you the courage to appropriate the gift of the sacrament and the rrelationship it brings with Christ Jesus to acquire the treasure. Or, are you still weighing up the cost?

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we have another parable involving sowing but this time it is not the sowing of the Word but of evil. It helps us to understand something of the nature of evil which has plagued thinkers throughout history that has even led some people to become atheists when they despair of evil in a world where God is said to be love. Often it is interesting that those who make such a decision have not actually experienced much suffering themselves! Maybe they are more afraid of their own capacity to deal with evil rather than recognising the power of God to transform and overcome evil through love? In the parable today it is the enemy and not God who sows the evil in with the good. The evil, in fact, grows with the good and can be difficult to distinguish from it or is entangled with it. The danger is that trying to remove evil absolutely, as if we ourselves know how to do it, we will damage the good. God, who is the only true arbiter of good and evil, reserves to himself how to deal with the eventual harvest. After all it is the angels who will do the reaping (Mtt 13: 39) It is up to us as the workers to keep working the land so that the good can be brought to harvest and remain forever. In the book, Daily Prayer with Mother Teresa she states: "We deliberately renounce all desires to see the fruit of our labor, doing all we can as best as we can, leaving the rest in the hnads of God." (p. 118) 

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we have the parable of the Sower of the Seed. It must have been an important story for the Early Church as it is found in all three of the synoptic Gospels with the parable and its full interpretation, as an allegory, along with it. Surely, having seen the power of the Word proclaimed by Jesus, the first evangelizers were disappointed when converts fell away from the faith or failed to yield the fruit that they were capable of? I can identify with that as I see the Gospel proclaimed Sunday after Sunday, the work of the Catholic schools and that of devout parishioners who do their best to serve God yielding such a meagre harvest of faith. It is important that we realise that the power is not in us but in the Word. We are there to sow and to be generous in our sowing even as we know the soil is thin in places and society full of perils. The fact that the Word is not received is not due to our failings or any shortcoming in the message. It is up to the actions of the Evil One (Mtt 13: 19), trouble of persecution (v. 21) or the cares of the world and the lure of wealth (v. 22). This should not distract us because if we look closer we can also see a great harvest in those who hear the Word and understand it (v. 23). Let us also be alert, not just to the positive stories of faith, but also to the fruit that is or is not evident in our own harvest. Am I producing the fruit of the Kingdom?

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the Gospel Jesus points out: "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." (Mtt 7: 18) Consistent with that Jesus, who liberates, reconciles and heals, does not inflict burdens on people. his programmatic statement in the Gospel of Luke is: "... he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. he has sent me to proclaim release to captives and recoveray of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." (Lk 4: 18-19) When he tells us, as he does today, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Mtt 11: 30), we have to believe him. If the practise of my Catholic faith and reception of the sacraments brings me dread, anger and disquiet it is not of the Lord. The desolations of the good spirit, as described by the Jesuits, are their not to oppress us but to call us back from our sinful ways. Perhaps, if my practise of the faith leads me to feel pessimistic and upset, I need to listen more attentively to the Gospel and ignore judgemental, critical and negative voices who,  behave like the lawyers Christ condemned, saying: "Woe also to you, lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them." (Lk 11: 46) 

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me," says the Lord. How can that be when we are sinners and he is the Way, the truth and the Life? As long as we live out of our ego and strive to assert it in the world we are not going to live as he did, speak as he did and pray as he did. St paul tells us, "But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him." (Rom 6: 8) Our identification with Christ is the key to how the world with treat us. This means we need to die to ourselves: "Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Mtt 10: 39) Only when our lives are conformed to Christ and we are united to him as our heavenly bridegroom can we truly says that the promises given in the Gospel will be true for us.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

How is it that people defy Jesus? He says: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mtt 11: 29) In this age of individualism we accept no yoke and will not learn. In the song "My Way" the lyrics state: 

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught.

To say the things he truly feels; 

And not the words of one who kneels.

The record shows I took the blows -

And did it my way!

In the contemporary mind there is an heroic aspect to the defiant and self justifying individual who lives a lonely life on a lonely planet in a lonely Universe. There is no rest. The person plaintively demands: "You must accept me as I am!" What a contrast to the lives of the saints! They endure burdens, suffering and persecution and through it all they are sustained by the one who has loved them. The heart of the Lord feels for all humanity not just as an abstract but for each and everyone, epecially the small ones - those who trust in him. Lonely and crushed we may be at times but we are never alone and never unloved. What a contrast to the sentiments of "My Way"! St Paul, about to be martyred for the faith wrote: "At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen." (2 Tim 4: 16-18)

 

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel today counsels against fear: "Have no fear ... Do not fear ... rather fear him who ... So do not be afraid ...". If one of the major messages of Jesus Christ was against us being afraid why is it, over the centuries, fear has been a domiant feature in catechesis? Why were children and adults instilled so much with fear so as to ensure their practise of the faith and compliance with religious rules? I think it is because fear is used routinely in other areas of life. It is quicker and easier to get someone to do what is the correct thing to do by frightening them rather than the long and difficult road of persausion and love. Yet, Christ goes by the latter option. On the way to Emmaus he listened to the disciples, walked with them and taught them again the Good News. St John writes: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love." (1 Jn 4: 18-19) If we wish to mature in faith and be perfected in love we need to conquer fear and trust solely in God's mercy and love which is revealed fully in Christ Jesus. After all, the Lord assures us: "So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Mtt 10: 31)

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Jesus says in today's Gospel: "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I willl raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink." (Jn 6: 54-55) The Eucharist is for eating and drinking! He does not ask, primarily, that we worship his Sacred Body and Precious Blood. That is a consquence of understanding the enduring character of the Eucharisti species. No, he wants us to eat and to drink. This I think is because by eating and drinking we are united to him: "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them." (Jn 6: 56) It is not, therefore, a question of nourishment but of Communion. The reception of Eucharist binds us more perfectly to him and to one another. As we hear from St Paul: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." (1 Cor 10: 17) I prefer to think of the Eucharist less as a reward for moral probity and more as a instrument and sign of Covenant. None of us can ever be worthy of the Eucharist yet the attitudes and desires of those who wish to be true disciples of Christ are essential to a fruitful partaking in the mystery of Christ's Body and Blood. The behaviour of the disciples towards each other, St Paul tells us, is relevant to how we receive Eucharist: "When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord's supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!" (1 Cor 11: 21-22) There is no room for individualism, political division or class distinctions in the Mass. By eating and drinking we are made one and that unity means we treat one another as brothers and sisters of the one family.

Trinity Sunday

As Christians we must resist any temptation to think of God as impersonal. Jesus states: "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Lk 12: 6-7) The nature of God as Holy Trinity is mysterious and sublime but always intimate and personal. Likewise, we should never become pessimistic and think that this triune God is a vengeful and punishing God looking to catch us out. John has told us "God is love" (1 Jn 4: 16) and Paul that God: "... desires everyone to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2: 4) Likewise, in the Gospel today Jesus reassures Nicodemus: "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (Jn 3: 17) Jansenism is a heresy that is a form of Catholic Calvinism. It is a pessimistic, austere and judgmental theology that thinks only a small portion of humanity will be saved. On this special feast let us honour joyfully the magnanimous, loving and merciful God, revealed in Christ Jesus, who desires the whole of humanity to receive the salvation he has in store for us.

Pentecost

At different times popes of recent years have called for a new Pentecost in the Church: Pope St John XXIII in 1962, Pope Paul VI in 1975 and Pope St John Paul II in 1992. To that end we need to ensure that we have an adequate understanding of this great feast. It is not the sole preserve of people who participate in charismatic church movements nor is its significance limited to the one day of the year. The feast has implications for the whole of the Church and the whole of the liturgical year. Without the Holy Spirit the Church is simply another man made institution with all of the flaws and limitations that this brings. 

One way of looking at the feast, to deepen our understanding of it, is to treat it as we do the Resurrection, that is, to look at its effect on the disciples. Led by Peter they lost their fear and proclaimed the Gospel regardless of the risk of persecution or befalling the same fate that Jesus received. Their whole manner of life was changed. They did not disperse as the disciples who went on the road to Emmaus tried to do. Rather, they remained in community and supported one another in solidarity: 

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." (Acts 2: 42-47) 

Does that sound like our parish? Does the wider community look upon us in the same way? If the Holy Spirit is indeed part of our lives and prayer we will all be conformed to represent Christ to the world as did the Church in its earliest days.

Thank You for Seminary Appeal Donations

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Seminary Appeal. We have received approximately $3,000 so far. Donors will be edified to know that the ordained ministry is an essential and constitutive part of the life of the Church and has been so from the beginning. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church #830 we read: "First, the Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. "Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church." In her subsists the fullness of Christ's body united with its head; this implies that she receives from him "the fullness of the means of salvation" which he has willed: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession. the Church was, in this fundamental sense, catholic on the day of Pentecost and will always be so until the day of the Parousia." The ordained priesthood is essential to the life of the Church: "The ministerial priesthood is therefore necessary for a community to exist as "Church": "The ordained priesthood ought not to be thought of as existing (...) posterior to the ecclesial community, as if the Church could be imagined as already established without this priesthood". Indeed, were a community to lack a priest, it would be deprived of the exercise and sacramental action of Christ, the Head and Pastor, which are essential for the very life of every ecclesial community." (Ecclesiae de mysterio, 3) Please continue to pray for priestly vocations and encourage those who are considering a call to the priesthood to do so with courage and generosity.

Ascension Sunday

Previously, I have been puzzled that St Luke has two accounts of the Ascension especially since his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles are the two parts of a continuous work. Reading an insight from Fr Justin Taylor sm has been of help: "The narrative of Christ's ascension into heaven in Acts parallels that in Luke 24:50-51, but whereas the earlier account demonstrates that the risen Jesus is high priest and king (cf. Ps 110:1-4; Heb 8: 1; 10:11-13), the later account has different emphases, seeking to show Jesus as the new Elijah and also as the Son of Man." ("Acts of the Apostles" in The New International Commentary, 1510) The first account, as I see it, shows that Jesus in the Resurrection is victorious and glorified. His Ascension signals the end of his earthly ministry. The second account shows how Jesus passes the mantle of his ministry to the Church. Like Elisha, the disciple of Elijah (1 Kings 2: 9-15), the Church receives a double portion of the ascended Master's spirit, this time, at Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-13). This event looks forward as the Church takes up the mission of Christ and its completion at the end of time when the Son Man comes again in glory. This means we are not disheartened by Jesus ascending to heaven and his seeming absence rather we are encouraged to continue his work and join him in his glory. 

6th Sunday of Easter

Today's Gospel says of the Holy Spirit: "This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. you know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you." (Jn 14: 17) We sometimes need to be reminded how precious the gift of baptism is. The Holy Spirit acts on the people of the world but it is we, who have been baptised, have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. The prayer of exorcism prayed during an infant baptism says: "We pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her)." In a world of relativism to some think sacraments are an optional extra or, even worse, irrelevant. To us, who believe, the Holy Spirit is essential and we cannot live without the sacraments. How can this divergance come about? St Paul wrote: "Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Those who are spiritual discern all things , and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. 'For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor. 2: 14-16)

Directions for Receiving Holy Communion from Other Christians

Parishioners have asked whether they can validily and licitly receive Holy Communion when they attend funerals or other celebrations of the Eucharist at churches run by the Society of Saint Pius X. The short answer is "yes." 

The longer answer is found in consideration of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. For parishioners, who usually attend Mass at one of the churches of the Catholic Parish of Whanganui, the following applies:

Can.844 §2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non- Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

For parishioners of a SSPX parish or any of the Eastern Churches such as the Greek or Russian Orthodox the following applies:

Can 844 §3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed.  This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

In addition, Catholics do not receive at Protestant Communion services:

Can.844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and can. 861, §2.

however, for members of those congregations, the following applies:

Can 844 §4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.

The assessment as to when the conditions are met belongs to the pastor of the parish. In general, practising Catholics are unlikely to abuse the situation and are well aware of their obligation to attend Mass in a church which is good standing with the Supreme Pontiff and the College of Bishops.