Live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.
Can justice be delivered with moderation? Can we be devoted to Christian discipleship while, at the same time, responding to a perceived injustice? These questions came to mind as I reflected on one of our scripture choices today, St. Paul’s letter to Titus. Our societal discourse would seem to prove that responses to divisive issues are not temperate, nor are they reflective of a devotion to religious faith. No matter the side one takes on an issue, there seems to be little room for consideration of the opposing viewpoint. Hot button issues such as immigration, gun control, and respect life seem to be areas where no common ground can ever be assented to. Any limitation placed upon the cause or any effort to concede some aspect is seemingly rejected as a sign of weakness or “caving in to the other side,” the result being the matter at hand is not improved, and the chasm which divides becomes greater.
Moreover, for the disciple, justice based upon Christian values never completely fits in with ideologies that equate compassion with an absence of morality or personal freedom as outweighing communal responsibilities. We are not at home in either the conservative or liberal perspectives, nor do those political entities want to embrace us in totality. And I think that is exactly where the Lord wants us.
Our mission, as Catholic disciples of Jesus Christ, is clear. We are called to be advocates for the deliverance of justice with temperance and devotion. A justice that will cultivate peace, the protection of all human life, and a providing of the basic necessities can only be the result of temperance in our discourse and a moderation in our language. Devotion to the Christian perspective, which values first the human dignity of another person, is the only means to reducing fear, bigotry violence and acts of hatred.
Today’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season, and symbolically commemorates the inauguration of the public ministry of Jesus. Our Lord begins his ministry calling fishermen and others who lived lives fully immersed in the culture of their time. Through his example of temperance, justice and devotion, those he called shared in a transformation that they would otherwise have thought impossible. Today we seek to not fit into political ideologies – but share in the transformation of our broken world through temperance and devotion.
TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH – I wanted to share with you some positive data about our parish community. Over the last year, we have seen our average mass attendance grow dramatically, and we are exceeding our mass attendance of 2019, the last year prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. I offer this chart which outlines this data.
Numbers are not everything, nor are they the most important thing, but they do tell a story. And the story is that St. Rose of Lima is a parish community which is alive and growing. Much of this growth is the result of an invitation and challenge that we made back in the early days of Fall. We asked our School and Faith Formation families to make a commitment to attend at least 25 Sunday masses during the school year. Of course, we are obligated to attend mass every Sunday because everything that Jesus did in his public ministry happens in the celebration of Holy Mass. We have taken steps to fulfill that promise. This growth is a result of a temperate invitation, not threats or with a heavy hand, and as a result, many have taken that step. I believe, too, that the people of the parish acknowledge that there is value in what we do as a worshiping community. I am grateful to all whose dedication to liturgical ministry enhances our worship. I was grateful to hear this input from one family, “I wasn’t happy about the mass requirements, but we found a way to make it work. I am glad we did; it is important to our family.”
Peace,