When Blessed John XXIII announced the Second Vatican Council, he startled most of us. The pope was responding to the tremendous changes resulting after World War II. In fact, the effects of the war touched every area of our lives, bringing a total change to society. John XXIII stated that the Church had to be able to present the perennial truths of our Catholic faith and the Good News of the Gospel clearly and forthrightly.
The doctrines and the teachings of the Church are based on the Revelation of Jesus and are guided by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Both John XXIII and Paul VI after him made it very clear that they sought a more effective way to present the truth of our Catholic faith so that it would be better understood and practiced.
For four years, the bishops of the world gathered to pray, to study and to address the tenets of our Catholic faith. The 16 final documents they issued clearly, beautifully and authentically stated the truth of our Catholic faith.
The Vatican Council sessions and the time immediately thereafter were filled with excitement and rightly so. The Church was openly displaying itself to the whole world and publicly accepting responsibility for the good of all. This was not a new message but a continuation of the Good News of Jesus. With updated language and customs and practices, the message of Jesus would be shared joyfully and enthusiastically.
While the work of the Council was indeed good and holy and authentic, there were some who gave a different meaning to the documents. It was unfortunate that because of the dramatic changes that occurred in society, a new attitude arose among some people. This new attitude adopted by some bishops, priests and lay persons can be described by three of its characteristics:
Where did these attitudes lead us? They brought us to the current year 2002 where we have painfully experienced the scandal of clergy abuses and bishops failure to oversee properly.
Throughout the past 25 years, Pope John Paul II, a Council father himself, courageously went about correcting, reproving and teaching clearly. He is an extremely popular Pope who is acclaimed worldwide. However, the evil of dissent which has become routine for some, enabled them to pick and choose. If they liked what the pope said about social justice or ecumenism, they acclaimed him. But when he also spoke the truth about celibacy, birth control, the real dignity of the human person or the existence of absolute truth, he was often ignored and even disobeyed.
Here we are, coming toward the end of 2002 and where do we go from here? I believe we have a three-fold task of prayer, repentance and renewal.
Over and over I have repeated these three -- prayer, repentance and renewal. Over and over I am even more convinced that this is the direction and the way we must live as Catholic people in the world today.
Prayer is communication with God. It must be both formal (as in the Liturgy) and personal (as from our heart to God). Unless we are people of prayer, all else is vain for without God, there is nothing. Through prayer we acknowledge God's goodness and graciousness. Through prayer we discover the true purpose and meaning and value of life. Through prayer we prepare for life everlasting with God.
Repentance. Although God is good and all-loving, we have not always responded to His love. In fact, we have often failed God both individually and as a community.
Therefore, we, individually and together, must make reparation for our sins and failures. We must publicly return to the Lord, offering ourselves to Him by fasting and praying to make reparation for our own sins and the sins of our families and friends.
Renewal is more than changing appearances. It is a change of heart and of lifestyle. It is returning to the Lord who first called us. It is learning those teachings which Jesus revealed to us. It is discovering anew what our Catholic faith is all about.
Yes, the shame and scandal and embarrassment of the past year has not been in vain. It has been a wake-up call for all of us to be sure that we shall live the fullness of our Catholic faith. This we can do only with Jesus because He and He alone is our Lord and our Savior.