Keep the faith!

The Roamin’ Catholic

An excellent article at Catholic Online chronicles the “living wage” movement, and discusses its workings at great length.  It quotes Pope John Paul II in “On Human Work,” which was published in 1981:

Hence in every case a just wage is the concrete means of verifying the whole socioeconomic system and, in any case, of checking that it is functioning justly. It is not the only means of checking, but it is a particularly important one and in a sense the key means.

As we ponder and discuss wage issues it is important for us as Catholics to keep in mind that this issue is not one of politics, but of principle.  The lives of honest, hard-working human beings are at stake, and we have a great moral responsibility to fight for a living wage.  We cannot allow the working poor to remain helpless and destitute!  We must demonstrate compassion in our laws and in our economic policies.  Human life and dignity do not serve as commodities to be traded or dispensed with at the market’s bidding.  Today, let us pray for our elected officials at all levels of government, that they might be enlightened and moved by the compassion of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to act in the creation of a living wage for all workers.

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

In today’s religious dialogue, we hear this question coming from faith traditions that suggest that the bread and wine offered to the Lord are symbols or representations of Christ’s body and blood, instead of the actual thing, as the Catholic Church teaches.  This disagreement has caused a rift between different Christian churches, and has been a sticking point in negotiations and efforts towards a Universal Church.  But for an answer on this question, whether bread and wine can truly become our Lord’s body and blood, we need look no further than Christ’s own words, as recorded in St. John’s gospel:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”

The words of our Lord speak for themselves.  However, the Catholic Church must continue the dialogue with other churches on this subject and others.  I bring special attention to the Anglican Church, with which we share so much in common on matters of doctrine and practice.  We cannot allow disagreements over the nature of bread and wine get in the way of other issues and causes of common spiritual and humanitarian interest.  We must focus on areas of common belief and purpose, while continuing a respectful and wide-ranging dialogue on matters of difference.  We should pray together for understanding and greater unity, both of purpose and practice.

Vatican Radio reported that Msgr. Giorgio Lise, vice postulator of the cause, said Aug. 17 that 170 witnesses already had been interviewed about the late pope’s life and ministry, and the last remaining interviews would be conducted by early November.

A formal biography and the witnesses’ testimony will be sent to the Congregation for Saints’ Causes by the end of the year, he said.

Though much attention is being paid to John Paul II, let us not forget a great man (and future saint) who spent his entire life in the promotion of peace and justice, John Paul I.  His pontificate was very short, but his tenure of service and prayerful leadership lasted a great deal longer.  Santo subito!

His Holiness John Paul I

Cardinal Albino Luciani

Elected August 26, 1978

Died September 28, 1978

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Theological dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox churches has been derailed for six years. In mid-September, 60 ecumenical experts will try to get it back on track. The Catholic-Orthodox international dialogue commission is meeting in the Serbian capital of Belgrade Sept. 18-25, in what Pope Benedict XVI has optimistically described as a “new phase in dialogue.” That the encounter is taking place at all has been described as a big step forward by Vatican officials. Representatives from 10 Orthodox churches, including the Russian Orthodox Church, will attend. But church officials also recognize that it wouldn’t take much to send the whole enterprise off the rails again. For one thing, the two main topics of the meeting are papal primacy and the role of Eastern Catholic churches — two of the sorest points in Catholic-Orthodox relations. In fact, it was the re-emergence of Eastern Catholic churches in post-communist Eastern Europe that so troubled the mixed commission’s meetings throughout the 1990s. After an acrimonious meeting in Emmitsburg, Md., in 2000, the dialogue was suspended.

It is my personal prayer that Catholic leaders continue and strengthen efforts to reach unity and understanding with members of ALL Christian churches.  By focusing on common values and the promotion of those values, as opposed to picking over doctrinal differences, people of faith can cooperatively improve the world in which we live.  I’d like to take the opportunity in coming days and weeks to explore the issues surrounding Christian unity, and my suggestions related to this ongoing effort.

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times…”

Unfortunately, however, though this refrain of our Lord’s is very familiar, the sentiment expressed by Jesus is not as common in today’s society. Instead of perpetual forgiveness and common understanding, our responses to wrongdoing frequently revolve around retribution and anger. One of the most dramatic and public expressions of this acrid sentiment is in the continued, unnecessary and immoral use of capital punishment in the American justice system. This method of punishment highlights the severely flawed approach we take to those who do wrong. While it is imperative that the rule of law remain intact, it is also critical that our system of justice reflect the sanctity of every human life. In some circumstances it is exceedingly difficult to find forgiveness in our hearts, particularly for people who commit very heinous crimes, but it is our responsibility as Catholics and as human beings to try.

We also see a deterioration of forgiveness in our relationships, most notably in the holy relationship of matrimony. Far too many marriages are ending in divorce, frequently without sincere efforts and commitments to resolve misunderstandings and disagreements. Instead of turning to divorce courts, let us instead turn to the gifts of compassion and forgiveness granted to us by our Lord! Speak not ill words against thy neighbor, but instead pray for the strength to forgive those who have trespassed against us!

In our relationships, our laws and our thoughts, placing forgiveness at the forefront of our sentiments is absolutely necessary. By demonstrating the compassion taught us by Christ, we can each do our part in promoting a world of love and understanding. It is my prayer today that we heed the advice our Lord gave to St. Peter, and to sincerely forgive others at every opportunity.

“Christianity, Catholicism, isn’t a collection of prohibitions,” the 79-year-old Pope said. “It’s a positive option … We’ve heard so much about what is not allowed that now it’s time to say: we have a positive idea to offer …”

In fact, the overwhelming majority of Catholic efforts, teaching and thought are focused on “positives” – an end to poverty, the promotion of religious freedom, a desire for greater Christian unity, and a world of peace and justice. But these ideas are not merely desires or fantasies, but rather goals that have been established and acted upon. Catholic relief organizations, both domestic and international, are on the front lines of ending hunger, poverty, and the spread of disease. Vatican diplomats have traveled to China in the promotion of greater freedom for all people who wish to profess and practice their faith, Catholic or otherwise. Countries have worked with Catholic prelates and the Holy See to create and enact legislation to promote and protect the sanctity of all human life at all stages. And the ecumenical effort to bring all Christians closer together has been strengthened and made a priority, both by the Great Pope John Paul II and by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Catholic Church has a great deal to offer everyone. I hope that Church leaders and the lay faithful alike, by living as examples of Christ’s life and love, might change the unfortunat view of Catholicism as a prohibitive religion to one of peace, justice and inclusion.

“Today, as a look out at you standing here in St. Peter’s Square, I think of the Apostles and feel the voice of Jesus who says to you, ‘I no longer call you servants, but friends, remain in my love and bear much fruit.’ I invite you: listen to this voice. Christ did not just say this 2000 years ago, he lives and speaks to you now.”
“Perhaps to some of you the voice is saying, ‘I want you to serve me in a special way, as a priest, becoming my witness, being my friend and introducing others to this friendship.”

Also, an article recently appeared on Catholic Online profiling altar servers living in St. Peter’s Basilica.

I am very glad that such attention is being paid to the vocation path of these young people. In fact, as a young person discerning a vocation myself, I wish that more attention and effort would be granted by clergy and diocesan leadership. I’m also glad that the involvement of young people in the workings of their respective parishes is being placed under the spotlight. My hope is that more young people serve their Church as lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, altar servers, and in other available positions. They bring vitality to our Church at present, and promise a vibrant Catholic community for the future.

Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago left Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood Aug. 15, after undergoing surgery for bladder cancer July 27. The cardinal, dressed in a black clerical suit and using crutches, appeared at the door of the Stritch School of Medicine at the hospital shortly before 9 a.m., flanked by archdiocesan aides. He stopped to speak briefly to reporters gathered there. “I’m extremely grateful to those who have remembered me in their prayers before the Lord,” said the 69-year-old cardinal. “In bringing me before the Lord, they had to bring themselves before the Lord and I hope that deepened their relationships.” Colleen Dolan, director of the archdiocesan communications department, said Cardinal George has received good wishes and promises of prayers from people in at least 85 countries.

Let us continue to pray for Cardinal George, that His Eminence make a complete, speedy recovery so that he might return to his pastorship full-time in the near future.

Let this Feast of the Assumption call to mind the fact that while death brings sadness and heartache for those left behind, it brings an renewed spirit and life everlasting to those who have gone before us! This day should also call to mind great thanks to our Lord for his mercy, forgiveness and compassion.