Ten years ago, when I returned to Rome to become Cardinal Foley’s special assistant and the chancellor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, someone lent me a book to read. It had just come out and he thought I might find it interesting as I returned to work, once again, at the Church’s headquarters. As I read it, I was reminded of the time I had spent time studying the Italian language the first time I was sent to Rome some 30 years ago. One of the sayings I learned at that time was “come uno pugnale nello stomaco,” which translates “like a dagger to the stomach.” The book recounted the long history of the building of the Basilica of St. Peter’s. Although we may all admire the beauty of this church and its magnificent courtyard, I have long been scandalized by it because I knew that the construction of this complex was paid for by exorbitant taxes that the popes levied on people, most of whom were living in poverty. What I didn’t know, however, until I read this book, was that Michelangelo, the great artist and architect, was forced to complete his work on the Basilica. Old and almost blind after painting the Sistine Chapel, he had returned home. But, the reigning pope threatened to kill his family – including his grandchildren whom he so loved – if he didn’t come back to Rome and oversee the final phase of the construction of St. Peter’s.
I have that same feeling, “come uno pugnale nello stomaco,” as I continue to struggle with this latest chapter of the ongoing priest’s sex abuse scandal outlined in the recent Grand Jury Report about our six surrounding dioceses; I imagine many of you have that feeling, too. Both the horrific crimes that some of our clergy committed and the tragic mishandling of the situation by some bishops is simply sickening, and leads us to feel anger toward them and tremendous sadness for the victims.
I wonder if this wasn’t how Jesus felt at the moment recounted in today’s gospel passage. After feeding five thousand, he had just offered a magnificent teaching about himself and what he had to offer – his own Body and Blood as the Bread come down from heaven to give us eternal life; we have heard this powerful teaching over the past several Sundays. And, how did his followers respond? With awe and gratitude? No, they just looked at each other and complained that “this saying is hard; who can accept it?” In fact, as we hear in today’s Gospel, “many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied” Jesus.
If we study the Bible, we will see that the relationship we have had with God is best described as long and tortuous – one full of second and third chances, of covenant and infidelity, of commitment and betrayal. As you read the Old Testament, you will hear, over and over again, the people of Israel, encouraged by some of their leaders and prophets, publicly declare their faith in the Lord only to see that commitment dashed in the dust of selfishness, disobedience, and betrayal.
But betrayal is not just found in the Old Testament. We hear some his followers betray Jesus in today’s Gospel, as well. We are all also familiar with Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial – how they must have hurt Jesus as much as any nail or crown of thorns!
And, as we continue to struggle with the clergy sex abuse scandal today, we find that betrayal evident among some clergy who have betrayed the trust young people have put in them in most tragic ways. The great paradox of these betrayals is that, although the ancient Israelites believed in God, and the disciples believed in Jesus and his message, and I can only imagine that the priests and bishops involved in today’s scandal did the same, that belief did not stop them from betrayal and denial. Contrast that with Jesus’ faithfulness; that same steadfast love and resolute fidelity that stood at the heart of the covenant with Israel is now found in the new covenant. The contrast couldn’t be greater! Humanity’s faithlessness is more than matched by God’s faithfulness. And, if we step back and reflect on the stark statistics most of us don’t want to face – that 37% of all women and 28% of all men in America admit to having been sexually abused as children, in all sectors of society and mostly by members of their own family – we might ask ourselves if, given our human frailty, is it even possible for us to be faithful to the Lord and truly loving of one another, or should we just throw in the towel and resign ourselves to infidelity and evil actions, and even betrayals of the One who loves us without condition and whose words are Spirit and life?
But before we throw in the towel, let us reflect on the words of the other Scripture passages that we hear today. First, we hear the challenging words of Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Like Joshua, we, too, have come to know the Lord as Savior, the one who brings us out of the slavery of sin and who performs great miracles and mighty words before our very eyes. That mighty presence should be enough to encourage us to fidelity. When joined with the words of St. Paul, we are doubly reminded that if we seek to imitate Christ in our daily life, we, too, can learn to be faithful like he is on whatever path of life we have been called to follow. And, having listened carefully to our Lord’s teaching over these past several weeks, we are assured that, as we come to his table and are nourished by his life-giving words and strengthened by his own Body and Blood, we can continue to strive to be faithful to God and loving of one another.
Joshua invites Israel to choose between the ways of the world and service to the Lord. That same invitation and choice is placed before each one of us as individuals and as a community of faith each day. Let us pray with special intensity during this trying time that Israel’s response will be ours: “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods … therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” For as Peter reminds us in speaking to Jesus: “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”