By FR. KEVIN M. CUSICK
On the grounds of my parish near the rectory, there was a dying fir tree when I arrived to begin my assignment here five years ago. It shortly thereafter completed its return to the elements from which it had been fashioned by its Creator, and the spot where it stood eventually left no trace of its previous existence. Many parishioners today only learn of it because I share its story.
Eventually, in my rounds of exploring the physical plant and its contents, I came upon some evidence that, once upon a time, that tree had been illuminated annually for Christmas. Every car that entered or departed our little riverside village would have been greeted by that cheerful nightly sentinel to remind them of the joyful news of our Lord’s birth, as a light in a world darkened by sin.
Recently, through the benefaction of one of our generous faithful, we planted a tree on that spot where another one once stood. We will begin again the custom of reminding all who pass by our parish as they enter or depart of the joyful news of faith. We plan to invite families in the town to join us next month for a tree-lighting ceremony and a visit from St. Nicholas to prepare the way for the newborn Savior once again.
This parish opportunity to “go out” and to “seek the margins” through the rededication and lighting of the town Christmas tree sponsored by our parish is inspired by our Holy Father, who reminds us of the mission of Jesus which continues in our own day. The Lord Himself went out and sought the lost sheep Himself, even as He called us to do the same. No effort should be considered too small or insignificant in this privilege that He entrusts to each of us in handing on the saving faith.
In last week’s column, we considered the papacy of Francis in light of the Gospel. The Holy Father is sending us out to the margins, to the periphery, seeking those who do not participate in the life of the Church on a regular basis, those who do not currently share with us on a regular basis in the saving graces of the sacramental life in our worship, especially at holy Mass and in the Eucharist. This theme permeates the Gospels because of the preaching of Christ, and therefore it should not be absent from the ministry of Pope Francis.
The Pope regularly reminds us that the Gospel he preaches is neither that of Marxism nor of its economic and political antagonists. He instructs us that his preaching and teaching come from the words and works of Jesus Christ, who placed the poor and the little ones at the center of His concern.
Perhaps the Pope himself more than anyone else realizes that his words and gestures may not reach all. Every priest and pastor must ground himself in the realization that even the Lord Himself was not able to change every heart and mind for the good of salvation in His own day. Pope Francis prays, and we should pray with him, for real unity around the Lord Himself, each forsaking personal agendas that hamper this evangelization which ever seeks to embrace all.
In last week’s column I alluded to the efforts of the Holy Father and his coworkers to avoid the compromise of his mission by shaking off any efforts on the part of others to co-opt him through public pressure. The illusion of some for a general movement toward the center by opposing parties may be engendering good feelings to warm the hearts of well-wishers around the universal Church’s virtual “campfire,” but, in fact, it may be a bit premature to intone the opening bars of Kumbaya.
The real story of this papacy is, of course, yet to be written, as we continue to witness its unfolding, but the day might come when we admit that its unifying efforts may have been as “virtual” as the documents of Vatican II have been for those who are obsessed with changing the Church instead of themselves.
After all the private courting of the diversity crowd and the public homilies that maintain the Catholic line, the orthodox appear to be as orthodox as ever and the change agents are as wedded as ever to their rejection of Catholic sexual morality.
This tale of a Janus-faced papacy, one private and edgy and the other public and sounding often quite traditional, proceeds without regard to the damage inflicted upon papal and Church teaching authority.
Such disregard is all the more glaring in light of the Vatican PR machine’s overwrought reaction to financial bad news, as reflected in the peremptory arrests of former papal collaborators, who may have leaked stolen private documents, as contrasted with the lack of same when it comes to events like the manipulation of moral doctrine at the synod.
Coming to know Pope Francis as we all do, very much loving him and the Catholic teaching that all of us have come to know as authentic, urges us to pray for his effectiveness with the others whom the Father is still calling to the great meal of the Eucharist.
As we prepare for our annual celebration of the Lord’s birth we must each open ourselves to hear the call to go out and seek the others who have yet to meet and be converted in a lasting way by the Lord who is born again in His Church each day in the Holy Eucharist.
The cheerful invitation we offer may be as simple as the lighting of a Christmas tree.
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(Thank you for reading. Follow me on Twitter @MCITLFrAphorism and on Facebook at Reverendo Padre-Kevin Michael Cusick. I blog occasionally at mcitl.blogspot.com and APriestLife.blogspot.com. You can email me at mcitl.blogspot.com@gmail.com.)
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