Pastor's Spiritual Reflections

By Fr. Leo Schneider (07/08/2007)

Dear People of Holy Name,

When St. Paul preached the gospel he did it free of charge. Paul was self-supporting. In Luke’s gospel, the seventy-two, sent out in pairs, are instructed to accept what people may offer for their material needs. Why this shift in teaching in Luke’s gospel that comes much later in chronology to Paul?

The answer is fairly simple. Paul was teaching in urban areas which allowed him work, which made it possible to rent a place to live and work from it also. The seventy-two were sent out to rural areas, with very small towns, that would not have offered the same opportunities for self-reliance. What is significant in this practice is the church’s ability to adapt its approach to affect a successful mission in a different setting.

This is always the challenge for the Church, to preach the gospel in each age, in a way that maintains the truth of the message in a language that will be understood in a changing culture. There are inevitable tensions in this process because changing the language can appear to some as changing the truth. Hence, there is a constant call to discern the timeless truth of the Gospel in a way that allows us to change some practices that may have become out dated and counter-productive.

When we look at the role of women in American society, there has been a tremendous change in the last hundred years. When women entered the workplace during the war a new door was opened. More women became educated and developed careers and were able to vote. We look back today and find it hard to imagine a world that would limit our daughters in education and social involvement.

Today our church still struggles in its discussion of the role of women when it comes to our sacramental life and governance. Here is where one group will say, “Jesus was a man and so a priest must be a man.” Others will say, “Times have changed and it is only prejudice and fear that keep us from change.” There are men and women on both sides of this debate. Who is right?

Here is where we are called to discern the truth of the Gospel, that rises above every culture and time, to be its critic and guide. To come to such truth we need to pray with an honesty that allows us to acknowledge the truth in our hearts, even if we are uncomfortable with it, because in the long run it will be that truth that will lead us to a deeper and lasting peace in Christ.

We need to pray, we need to discern, but we also need priest and prophets who will speak to that truth. It is only then that the heart of the gospel will be known in a way that will shape our living and inform our cultural practices. Could that priest or prophet be you? If not in it’s fullness, in what part?

In truth, we have all been baptized into the priesthood of Christ and are called to be prophets. Ours is to pray, listen to our hearts, and live our truth in a way that makes us and the world a better place, without judgment or condemnation. When Jesus sent the seventy-two out he was sending you and me as well. What is our call? How will I come to know God’s truth this week? How will God’s truth be lived in my life this week? This is our call and we must not be afraid to pick up our challenges and follow the Lord. Let us pray for God’s truth to be revealed in us and through us!

God’s courage and strength be with you

In Christ Peace, Fr. Leo