As this article explains, Bishop Robert McManus has decided to take responsibility for his recent hit and run episode in Rhode Island. This is encouraging. Most of us are aware that sin destroys our relationship with God and that it also undermines our relationships with family members, friends and others with whom we come into contact. Reconciliation refers to that precise effect of Christ's redemption of the human race by His sacrificial death on the Cross which restores our relationship with God and breaks down the barriers of sin which prevent us from engaging in authentic relationships with others.
In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Conversion is accomplished in daily life by gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right, by the admission of faults to one's brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life, examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one's cross each day and following Jesus is the surest way of penance." (1435).
In other words, our transformation in Christ, our daily conversion, is made manifest by such gestures of reconciliation by which we demonstrate our commitment toward the theological virtue of charity "by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God" (CCC, 1822). We are told in Sacred Scripture that a faith without works is dead (James 2:14-19). An authentic reconciliation, therefore, will show itself in a charity which embraces both God and neighbor. As Jean Jaouen so eloquently puts it, "..Christian compassion cannot be a cerebral, fleshless reality. It is completely impossible for one who loves people coldly to dissociate eternal salvation from the temporal well-being of a human person. A person is a whole. Time is eternity already begun yet still not completely visible. The conflict will be resolved if Christian apostles learn to live with their people while remaining present to the Lady who, with her Son, weeps over both the death of souls and the death of little children. 'Lady of heaven, empress of earth.' Through the Virgin Mediator and Queen, apostles will find a balance between the demands of heaven and those of earth." (Jean Jaouen, m.s., "A Grace Called La Salette: a story for the world," pp. 327-328, grassroots publishing international, Enfield, New Hampshire, English edition 1991).
I continue to pray for Bishop McManus. I pray that he will find it within himself to treat Catholics faithful to the Magisterium with dignity and respect and that he will not continue to ignore our legitimate and charitably expressed concerns.
3 comments:
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - You cannot be a "part-time" Christian, "at certain moments, circumstances, choices" " faith must guide our lives, because the "truth that the Holy Spirit gives us always and totally involves our daily lives". In an era marked by relativism, that "the truth lies in consensus," Pope Francis reminds Christians that "Jesus is the Truth," and the Holy Spirit He who "guides us on the path of knowledge of the truth", to the " things of God. "
80 thousand people were present for the Pope's audience, among which, as has become customary, he made a lengthy tour of greeting, with people cheering, children to kiss and some gifts. O singular interest today, a cage with two white doves, which Francis released to the applause and jubilation of the crowd.
"Let's ask ourselves: are we open to the Holy Spirit, do I pray to him to enlighten me, to make me more sensitive to the things of God? And this is a prayer we need to pray every day, every day: Holy Spirit may my heart be open to the Word of God, may my heart be open to good, may my heart be open to the beauty of God, every day. But I would like to ask a question to all of you: How many of you pray every day to the Holy Spirit? Eh, a few of you I bet, eh! Well, a few, few, a few, but we realise this wish of Jesus, pray every day for the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to Jesus!".
"Do not be a 'part-time" Christian, at certain moments, in certain circumstances, in certain choices, be Christian at all times! The truth of Christ, that the Holy Spirit teaches us and gives us, always and forever involves our daily lives. Let us invoke him more often, to guide us on the path of Christ's disciples Let us invoke the Holy Spirit eveyday! Thus the Spirit will bring us closer to Jesus Christ. Thank you".
Jane, I deleted an anonymous and hate-filled comment from a supporter of Bishop McManus' uncharitable approach toward faithful Catholics. This confused soul accused you of being a "whacko" for citing Pope Francis.
This too suggests how bad things are here in the Worcester Diocese. When the Holy Father's words are dismissed as "whacko" from someone who claims to be Catholic, you know things are dire.
I'm sorry, but the article you cite says he pleaded not guilty. He refused a breath test at the scene, and he pleaded guilty only to refusing to take that. He did not plead guilty to the hit and run. His punishment includes a lose of license, but when he was bishop in Ri, he had chauffeur. 10 hours of community services what drunk college kids get when they are admitted to the hospital for over drinking. And by the way, he's a religious leader....lie should be doing that anyway. To me, this just business as usual: if you have money, lawyer up and deny, deny, deny. Many professionals involved in this incidenet would lose thier job over it. I am catholic, but I'd
like to see priests practice what they preach.
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