From an “inside the box” perspective it is vitally important that sacramental ministers in our Church represent the full spectrum of faithful. People need to be able to connect with those in leadership positions. And those in leadership positions truly need to be able to relate to those with whom they serve.
From an “outside the box” viewpoint, though, does our focusing on who can and who cannot become official sacramental leaders truly relate to our fundamental mission as Christians in the world as a whole? Are there not larger issues facing our society that should command our presence and action: issues of homelessness, starvation, hatred, joblessness, and the environment? Does God really care about who is the celebrant of our Eucharist liturgies? Does God really need us to have designated celebrants? Does it even matter to God if we have Eucharistic liturgies? For a God made manifest in immense diversity, does it even matter if we are Christian?
God working through history has positioned the Church with its global presence to become a unifying vehicle that brings us together as the expressions of our creator’s existence. Even with all our shortcomings through the ages, our Church has been a marvelous influence for the development of society and social issues.
Centuries ago, Islam was an amazing source of thought and spirituality, art and architecture, science and learning. Centuries ago, China was also similarly positioned. But both chose to turn inward, literally or figuratively walling themselves off from other societies. In that segregation, they lost the opportunity given them to become collaborative vehicles for the universe’s ongoing creation, in the short run and for time to come.
I believe we’ve reached that same juncture point in the Catholic Church. Forces operative in our Church working to re-impose uniformity, control thought, and highlight what separates true believers from one another, would drive us into that same isolationist position.
The God made manifest in the plurality visible in nature, be it mineral, plant, animal or human kingdoms, will not be held hostage to separatism. Isolationist or monolithic viewpoints and activities can no longer work if we are to be successful in all the areas of need that are facing us as sisters and brothers on this planet, be they our communities, our economies, our educational structures, our governments, our religions.
If the end-point of our activities in working for ministry reform and renewal is simply who gets to wear the vestments on Sunday, we are probably wasting the precious moments we’ve been given working for something beneath the greatness of the human spirit. It is in the wider context, the Church as microcosm of the world, that our activities become incredibly important.
This is the season in which we especially remember the importance of love and relationship. This is the season in which we particularly celebrate the magnitude of God’s incarnational love as manifested in Jesus. This could be the season where we as a Church rediscover our mission to the world. By embracing the diversity God creates, reverencing truth wherever we find it, and freeing people from forces that bind them we truly show the world how to be the face of God that Jesus was and is.
As we celebrate who we are as CORPUS this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I thought I’d close by sharing with you some of the notes we’ve received this past year:
“It gives me great hope and courage and deeper faith to be connected with CORPUS... it is a privilege. God's blessings on all you do. JoAnn”
“Thanks so much for sharing with us - it gives hope!!! Harriet”
“CORPUS is the main source of information about what is happening across the US and world, for that matter. I appreciate it. Fr. Harry”
“How tragic that so many excellent, gifted priests are treated so unjustly by the Vatican because they fell in love--love, isn't that what Jesus is all about. Blessings, Steve”
“God bless you! Gabe”
“Thank you for speaking the truth. Keep up the good work. God Bless! Bill”
“I thoroughly agree with and admire you and CORPUS for being so steadfast in working for the Christian community all the while facing the Neanderthal leadership. That's true faith in action. You enhance my belief that there really is a Higher Power. God bless. Fr. Tom”
“I'm proud of you and CORPUS. The SPIRIT is alive. Ann”
“We have made many positive changes since pre-Vatican II days - we are on a journey - and in the near future we will have women priests and optional celibacy. Hang in there and let's help to make it happen. Charlie”
“Thank you! John Henry Newman wrote, and here I paraphrase, that when an idea's time has come, it will manifest itself on a broad field and will not be stopped. I think we are witnessing that dynamic. Regina”
Wishing you and your families a joyous Thanksgiving and wondrous Christmas,
Russ Ditzel 9/28/03
Russ can be reached at crditzel@corpus.org
