Reflecting on the gospel this Sunday, two questions immediately caught my attention. Does this shock you? Do you also want to leave?
Jesus asked these two questions to his disciples not because of a scandal in the Church nor among his disciples, but because of His teaching about the bread of life which people had the difficulty of accepting because it refers to Him. He said, “I am the bread of life that comes down from heaven, whoever eats this bread will live forever and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” People could not understand this. In fact, many of his followers returned to their former way of life. And so Jesus asked his twelve disciples, “do you also want to leave?” Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Hearing Peter’s response, maybe we can relate to it after dealing with a tough week because of the release of the grand jury report. Some of you probably heard it on the news, read it in the newspaper or on the computer - information that shocked you and shook your faith. Maybe negative thoughts now run through your minds about the priests and the church. But should this be a reason for us to leave the church where we go for our worship and stop practicing our faith?
In his homily last Sunday, Bishop Malesic said that the Church in the Diocese of Greensburg has evolved far beyond the Church described in the grand jury report. Yes, our Church today is different from the past in a sense that procedures have been implemented for everyone’s protection and safety. The Church wants to make sure that no one is abused and are being taken care of whether young, adults or vulnerable adults.
Bishop Malesic added that our Church today is committed in providing a place where individuals and families can grow in holiness and find spiritual comfort through the celebration of the sacraments.
As a parish, we are also faithful to this commitment and provide an avenue where every individual and families feel safe and protected when they come for worship and fellowship.