Sat., Mar. 15, 2014
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
This past summer I went for two weeks to Life Teen camp in Georgia. This camp was set up for those in Junior High to strengthen their relationship with Jesus and His Body the Church. I was told that Life Teen strives to always work for a balance of 70% Catechesis and 30% fun. However, in reality in many of the catechetical moments are done in such a way that they too are enjoyable.
One of these elements was the messy games. This consists of running through an obstacle course as a parish supporting each other along the way. The famous event certainly lived up to its name with a run through the wet and muddy camp. The teens were dosed with water, shot (by a toy gun) with powder paint, and finally met up at the end to just be covered with a messy mixture. All, including adults, were invited to take part in the event, but I thought it better to sit this one out.
Get messy? Good
We can all remember a time when getting messy was fun. Yes, as children we thought nothing of running into a puddles or playing on a muddy field. Now, though, we are more mature so we avoid anything messy. We would much rather stay safely on the sidelines. The unfortunate thing is that this avoidance can be extended to the sufferings and difficulties of our adult Christian life. Figuratively, we do not want to get dirty or risk being hurt. This is a very human reaction, but it is not the Gospel way. Pope Francis repeats over and over that he “…prefer(s) a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and clinging to its own security.”
Basically, the pope is saying that the Gospel message is about getting into the mess without losing your focus on Christ. It is so easy to stand on the sidelines and say, “Look at how barbaric the world is becoming!” or “Look at what this politician is doing!” or, “Can you believe how far we have gone from God’s Law!” And, yet what does this accomplish? We just feel justified in our own righteousness; secure and doing nothing to improve the situation.
Engage the culture
It would be better for us to engage the culture armed with the truth of Christ. But we do not want to do this because it will challenge us…making us bruised from mockery. We will inevitably be at times “hurt and dirty” having to endure the viciousness that comes from sin.
However, the irony is that it is the “dirty” Church which is the “healthy” Church. One that forgives its enemies; judges actions, but not intentions. Recognizes that we are all sinners, but some are in a state of deep darkness since they have never met Jesus. In this way, we suffer with the crucified Lord. Taking the abuse and responding to it with love. And it is this love and mercy which makes the most impact on our enemies. It will lead to conversions in God’s time.
Bruised, hurting, dirty
Meanwhile, we accept being “bruised, hurting and dirty” rather than safe. For real safety and security does not come from us but from God. It is the Lord who watches over us. He gives us the grace to do what is humanly impossible — “to love our enemies and to do good to those who persecute us.” Only in following Jesus into the messiness do we find true peace and give the gift of True Life to those in darkness.