Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 5, 2013
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
It can be a great experience to go and spend time in another country.
Experiencing another culture for a period of time can be an opportunity to broaden one”s horizons and grow as a person. We can learn to appreciate that there are many legitimate ways to live and accomplish tasks.
Naturally we will appreciate some aspects of the culture more than others.
He was “cut to the heart” in discovering Christian captivesSt. Peter Nolasco was shocked and moved in finding Christians held captive and in danger of losing their faith. Read more about his heroic life and what he did about it on the website of the .
Visit the Mercedarians’
In my travels to Italy, particularly Rome, I have noticed that they have a much different perspective on laws. It seems that many traffic codes are seen more as “suggestions” rather than mandatory. For example, there are designated places to park in each city and town, but often people just park any place that seems to be out of the way. They seem to get away with this so long as it is not directly in traffic. Another example is with cross walks. In Rome, there are cross walks with signals, but they are just guidelines. The “unwritten rule” is that the pedestrian can just walk across at any time so long as they are confident, and the cars will stop.
To Americans, with our more legalistic culture, the “Roman way” seems strange or even chaotic. But, time spent in the country reveals that the more relaxed system works for them even if it is at times a bit unorthodox. Each culture can learn from the other how to moderate extremes and come to appreciate the each other.
Respecting legitimate authority
As Catholic Christians we have a long tradition of being able to live and function in whatever society we find ourselves in. Jesus stated that we should “give onto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God (Mark 12:17).” We are to “participate in promoting the common good…(C.C.C.)” whatever society we are in. The Early Church handed down to us the practice of praying for our government leaders and respecting legitimate authority. We are, however, to see ourselves as pilgrims on a journey to our true home and city the “new Jerusalem.” Even though at times the Church has gone through periods of legalism, Jesus and His disciples never wished to burden people with the multiplication of laws which was a common practice in Judaism. As we see with the first reading, the infant Church soon abandoned many of the ritual practices which had become a burden to the faithful.
While journeying along this temporary pilgrimage, we are to, in so far as is possible, live as other citizens do. The Catechism lauds authority which, exercised in a legitimate way, “acts for the common good and employ morally licit means to attain it.” However, “unjust laws and measures contrary to the moral order are not binding in conscience.” An unfortunate example of this is the HHS Mandate for contraceptives, sterilization and abortifacient coverage which is to be enforced upon non-profit Catholic Schools, charities and health care institutions beginning August 1st of this year.
We cannot heed this law
This past week every priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received a letter encouraging us to once again alert parishioner about the seriousness of this attack on our religious freedom. This Mandate could seriously effect the Church”s ability to in the future serve Catholics and non-Catholics in our schools, charities, and health care institutions.
Since the Mandate was announced, the Bishops Conference has continually made it clear that we cannot heed this unjust law which goes against our Catholic conscience. This is a religious freedom issue which will have a profound effect on the Church”s ability to continue to serve the poor and the needy of all faiths.
Contact representatives
Members of Congress have told the bishops and their representatives that they have not received many complaints from Catholics in regards to this most serious of issues. Therefore, we once again urge the faithful to contact their representatives. We are asked by our bishops to contact our local representatives by phone or email to share our displeasure for this attack on our religious liberty.
We know from Jesus teaching that we are to pray for and obey all our leaders including the President, Congress, Senate, and Supreme Court.
Yet, Christ also teaches that we are to listen to His “Word” which is revealed to us in the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition of the Church. No matter what country we are in, no one can force us to violate our conscience or do what is morally wrong. Let us pray that this great nation founded on the principles of freedom will always respect the rights of all persons to follow their conscience!