We need to be reminded

thought-for-sundayFrom the desk of Fr. Ignatius Waters, cp

Sunday, 14th October 2018

  

 

                                

At our recent Thanksgiving Liturgy for Ministers, Workers and Volunteers, a short reflection by Carlo Carretto was read. I knew it sounded very familiar, but I couldn’t remember where or when I had come across it. Then I surprised myself by remembering I had written about it in one of my early pieces for this Bulletin. I had written about it, but I’d forgotten all about it! This is the piece written in March 2009.

 

                                    A DYSFUNCTIONAL CHURCH

 I used to think there were families that were normal and families that weren’t. I used to think there were families that were dysfunctional and families that were functional. Now I know that all families and all human organisations (including the church) are dysfunctional – it’s just a question of degree!

In the church there is sin, scandal and betrayal but there is also great holiness, goodness and fidelity and so it has been all down the centuries.

This little tribute, written by Carlo Carretto, catches the paradox of the church and the tension in being a member of the church.

“How much I must criticise you, my church, and yet how much I love you!

You have made me suffer more than anyone and yet I owe more to you than to anyone.

I should like to see you destroyed and yet I need your presence.

You have given so much scandal and yet you alone have made me understand holiness.

Never in this world have I seen anything more compromised, more false, yet never have I touched anything more pure, more generous or more beautiful.

Countless times I have felt like slamming the door of my soul in your face – yet every night I have prayed that I might die in your arms.

Then too – where would I go? To build another church?

But I could not build one without the same defects, for they are my defects. And again, if I were to build another church, it would be my church, not Christ’s church.

No, I am old enough. I know better!”

 

St. Peter was so wise when he said, “That is why I am continually recalling the same truths to you, even though you already know them and firmly hold them. I am sure it is my duty, as long as I am in this tent, to keep stirring you up with reminders.”                 -(2 Peter 1:12 – 14)