[In this Homily, Deacon Paul Rooney, Archdiocese of Omaha, takes a look at "forgetful Catholics" - those who see nothing wrong with ignoring the teachings of the Magisterium. He focuses on the "Spirit of Truth" Who guides the Roman Catholic Church, and warns "independent thinking" Catholics about the great dangers from private opinions which are contrary to official Church teaching.]
This homily is about the “Spirit of Truth.” And what a wonderful set of readings we have today! In the First Reading (Acts 8:5-8,14-17) we hear about Deacon Philip in Samaria preaching the truth about Jesus, and healing in Jesus’ name. Soon Peter and John come to Samaria to “lay hands” on those who believe, and they receive the Holy Spirit.
Then in the Second Reading (1 Pt 3:15-18) we listen to Peter’s gentle advice to us about our readiness to share our true faith, living our life in the Spirit. And finally, in the Gospel (Jn 14:15-21) we hear the marvelous promise from Jesus that he will not abandon us, but will send the Holy Spirit of Truth to be with us always.
Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of St. John today. His community is under attack, both from “internal” sources and from “external” sources.
On the "external" side, many skeptical Jews were unable to accept Jesus as the Messiah, and certainly not as the Son of God. In fact, they told John’s parishioners that they’ve got it all wrong - - that they need to embrace Judaism, including its dietary laws and its rituals like circumcision. If they did not, then they would be barred forever from the synagogues - - and this is exactly what happened. The hostility between Christians and Jewish leaders in John’s community is reflected in the dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees and Sadducees in John’s gospel.
In fact, we can safely say that the “way” the people lived their faith in those times is reflected by the “labels” they have received from their own peers. If they are "Sadducees" then they followed only the first five books of the bible, and nothing more. If they are "Pharisees" then they tried to rigidly follow each and every detail of the bible in literal, fundamentalist style, with the “rulebook” always trumping “mercy.” If they were "Zealots" then power politics entered into the equation.
But John’s community is also being torn by "internal" dissension. The "Truth" becomes the essence of the issue, so what John’s community leaders are saying is that your faith must be grounded only in Jesus Christ, which in turn is reflected in living out his commandments of love. And the gospel according to John warns his community not to “fall away” from this truth, even when persecution and death are threatened (e.g., Jn 16:1-4).
Today, you and I are faced with this very same crisis of truth, surrounded as we are by a Culture of Death that approves Abortion, Euthanasia, Contraception, and Eugenic Experimentation (such as Cloning, which our current Pope Benedict XVI has called more destructive than Weapons of Mass Destruction) (Zenit, 10-27-'04). So, just whose voice do you believe when there seem to be so many opinions out there? For a Catholic Christian, it is crystal clear. We believe that the Holy Spirit does indeed guide this Catholic Church, and will preserve it from error until the end of time (the very last words of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel). So what happens when controversies come up today, and there are divided voices and opinions or theories?
St. Irenaeus (b. 140 AD) came up with the model solution to test all theories: and this is now the Classic Test of Christian Orthodoxy. He said that we only have to find out which one of the Churches possesses a line of Bishops going back to one of the Lord’s Apostles. What those Churches or Bishops teach as something handed down, is True. If it conflicts with this “handing down” or what we call Tradition, the “Deposit of Faith,” then it is False. And only the Roman Church founded by Peter and Paul was a certain guarantee of Orthodoxy, Irenaeus taught (http://www.ccel.org/fathers/ANF-01/iren/iren3.html#Section3) (“Against Heresies,” Book 3, Ch. 4)
We can apply that doctrine today in several ways. Here are just four examples:
- Example #1: In the recent case of Terri Schiavo and the Euthanasia “forced” upon her, as well as any other forms of mercy killing or euthanasia, Pope John Paul II taught very clearly on March 20, 2004 that nutrition and hydration are natural means of preserving life, even if artificially administered, and therefore morally obligatory ("Life-Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State: Scientific Advances and Ethical Dilemmas.").
- Example #2: Since "day one" our bishops have consistently taught that Abortion is gravely immoral and gravely sinful, the most monstrous evil that there can be (e.g., Didache 2:1–2; A.D. 70). No child should have to suffer death for the sins of another.
- Example #3: Our bishops have consistently taught that Contraception interferes with even the very possibility of new life; therefore it is morally wrong (CCC#2399).
- Example #4: Our bishops have taught that Voting in favor of a law Harmful to the common good, such as homosexual “marriages” between same-gender parties, is gravely immoral (CDF, “Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Recognition…, June 3, 2003).
There are dozens of other examples; those are just a few of the attacks on the dignity of humanity going on today. I sadly admit that I know a few Catholics who would prefer to cling to their own opinions, rather than humble themselves and accept the teaching authority of the Vatican, the authority of the very Church that the Spirit of Jesus protects. As my Dad used to say, "Remember, if you deliberately choose to run with those dogs, you are going to catch their fleas."
The bottom line is this: If you hear a teaching or a voice or an opinion that is directly opposed to what the Church officially teaches and "hands down" as part of the deposit of faith, then it is a voice to be ignored! On the other hand, the Spirit of Truth that Jesus promised in today's Gospel (Jn 14:15-21) resides in the official teaching office of the Catholic Church. Listen to that voice, because it is the voice of the Holy Spirit!
The "Good News" is that Jesus never condemns, but is constantly inviting and challenging us to see the Truth. He endowed Peter with a promise: to establish His Church on the Rock that the gates of hell cannot destroy. My prayer for you is that He bless the ears of your heart to hear and accept His Truth from His chosen teachers!
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Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
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