FAITH OR LACK OF FAITH
In our modern society, we here about “The Nones” in the United States (People with no religious affiliation) and their rise in number the church. What breeds the Nones? As we know, a lot of factors are responsible for the rise of the Nones in our society. Some of those factors were pointed out by Saint Paul in today’s first reading: a lackadaisical attitude towards anything holy or religious. Research shows that church attendance is the first thing that goes, then belonging, and finally belief.
Like Paul in our first reading, it is our pastoral duty to present the correct teachings of the Church and to engage with these our sisters and brothers. As we know it, the culture has exiled some people in the modern secular world from God, religion, and spirituality. So, to them each day is a frustrated attempt to put together the jigsaw puzzle of life without the crucial pieces.
Hence, Paul issued a reprimand to the Corinthian church for their unholy attitudes and behaviors (I Corinthians 11: 17-27, 33). Paul caution them against divisions and abuse of Eucharistic gatherings:
“I hear that when you meet as a Church there are divisions among you……”
He continued:
“When you meet in one place, then, it is not to eat the Lord’s supper, for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk. Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the Church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I do not praise you.”
May I ask, what is the situation in your parish today? Any difference? Any similarity? Any forms of factions and divisions in your local parishes, dioceses, religious communities? Are your parishioners or parish welcoming, open minded to new families and strangers? Are they accommodating to families with young children, families with physically challenged children? Are you welcoming?
On another note, how is the decorum in your parish church prior to the start of Mass? Would you consider that period prior as a prayerful atmosphere? Personally, what is your attitude when you enter the church, that sacred space? Are you reverent?
Pope Francis called out the common habit of chatting with people around you before Mass, stressing that this is a time for silent prayer, when we prepare our hearts for an encounter with the Lord. He says:
“When we go to Mass, maybe we arrive five minutes before, and we start to chit-chat with those in front of us, it is not a moment for chit-chat. It is a moment of silence for preparing ourselves for dialogue, a time for the heart to collect itself in order to prepare for the encounter with Jesus.”
The Mass is not a show, but a place where we encounter the Lord. The encounter with God is a living encounter as we see in the Gospel between Jesus and the Centurion. The Centurion whose servant was at the point of death showed his faith when he requested that Jesus could heal his slave from a distance due to his unworthiness. “I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed” the Centurion professed.
The black basalt foundation of the Synagogue in Capernaum built by the Centurion mentioned in today’s Gospel could be seen in the photo below.
The black basalt synagogue Christ knew was the original synagogue was built by a Roman centurion, the same centurion who had his servant healed after a declaration of faith that amazed Jesus (Luke 7:1-10). The black basalt foundation walls which the white synagogue (built in the 4th or 5th Centuries) rests on date back to the original first century structure, the Synagogue that Jesus knew. See photo below
The Ruins of the Second Synagogue built on the foundation of the first Synagogue that Jesus knew.
The faith of the Centurion and the lack of faith Paul witnessed in the Corinthian church are reminders of the blessings and challenges in our pastoral work. Like, Paul let us be courage to make fraternal corrections and praises where necessary.
Have wonderful week.
