St. Joseph of the Lakes

Now in regard to meat sacrificed to idols:^* we realize that “all of us have knowledge”; knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up. If anyone supposes he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if one loves God, one is known by him. (1Cor*:1-3)

We had a beautiful festival last Sunday with great food, entertainment, and activities.  I appreciate the many members of our family who stepped up to make the festival a reality, which shows the best of our parish family to those who come to visit us on those days.  (Note: I do not use the word “volunteers” since that would indicate an “over and above” sort of contribution).  Yes, we as a family of faith gathered and expressed the best part of ourselves to the rest of the local community.  Throughout those two days I was both very proud and at the same time saddened as I watched a new tension ripple through this very hospitable community. We have a new Respect Life committee that was formed over the summertime. I was grateful that there were members of the family who stepped up to create a much-needed group that can help us monitor the political winds and direct our energies in such a way that we might be an effective voice of the Gospel of Life. At the same time, I encountered grumbling from members of that same group wondering if we were truly a “Catholic” community because some posters that they had put up were found offensive to others in our family. For some it seemed a simple answer: “We are Catholic-We should be pro-life” and anyone who might have a different expression of pro-life sensitivities is considered not-catholic. It seemed almost as easy (and difficult) to say: because I do not agree with him, he is not my brother. 

It is never so easy to sever ties in a blood family. We might think we can, but the demands of our life will at times pull us towards our siblings whether we want it to happen or not. We might not agree with them, think that they are loony, or just plain wrong, but that doesn’t end the tie brought about by our birth into the same family as they are. 

Saint Paul loved the Corinthian Christian community as a father loves his children. He helped give birth to it by preaching and teaching. Yet they were a fractured group of people. Some separated themselves by distinction (Paul baptized me, Apollo baptized me and so on) Others separated themselves by knowledge as we read in the bible passage at the beginning of this reflection. I think Paul’s statement:” knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up” is an apt encouragement for all of us. What should distinguish us is the love we have for each other, though we will differ in many matters. Our unity is in Christ, not in some political orientation.  We did this last Sunday, though some could pick up the family fight as they joined us. We will always be more effective united in Christ as we meet the world and all of its challenges than we will be separated by internal issues.