Two Popes = Two Churches?

It is true that some of what we read in the Sacred Scriptures contain themes that are echoed in our world and Church today, evidenced by Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Around 50 AD, towards the end of his second journey, Paul founded the church in Corinth, before moving on to Ephesus, the west coast of today's Turkey, about 180 miles by sea from Corinth. It was while staying in Ephesus that he received disconcerting news of the community in Corinth regarding jealousies, rivalry, and immoral behavior.  The congregation there was requesting clarification on a number of pertinent matters. 

Paul wrote his letter to correct what he saw as erroneous views in the Corinthian church. Several sources informed Paul of the conflicts.  In response to the claims: “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ” Paul wrote, urging uniformity of belief and expounding Christian doctrine because divisions within the church at Corinth have become a problem.

We see that this idea of “uniformity” has been an issue from the very beginning.   The source of our unity is precisely the death and resurrection that we experience with Christ in our baptism, not our particular leaning in the faith. The source of all of this is Christ’s death on a cross, which looks like foolishness to the world and to the secular value system. 

Then and now, we know that a divided church is one which has yet to die completely to the dominant values surrounding it, and subsequently, remain unable to embrace the radical reality ushered in by Christ.

Perhaps this is why I am intrigued by the release of the movie The Two Popes, a 2019 biographical drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and written by Anthony McCarten, adapted from McCarten's 2017 play The Pope.  The film stars Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (later Pope Francis).

While the performances of Pryce and Hopkins, as well as McCarten's screenplay, received high praise from critics, I wonder whether there is a more profound truth here than meets the eye – not necessarily in the film’s plot and main characters, but in the hearts of today’s believers. 

Netflix summarizes in these words, the film shows “a key turning point for the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI forms a surprising friendship with the future Pope Francis. Inspired by true events.” While one can decide for oneself where the true inspiration begins and ends, there is surely one truth that is evident: the Church today is also challenged by division – under whatever labels you prefer.

As a body of contemporary believers united in Christ through baptism, we are called to remember that we belong to Christ, never anything else, especially anything that divides us - and that belonging to Christ is what should unify us.  That unity challenges us to figure out how to live together today as a community of faith in light of the Gospel.

While today we experience an historical reality of the presence of one active and one retired Pope, we are reminded that there is only one Church, founded by Christ, that unites all believers by their baptism to his death and resurrection.  As we live that reality, I pray we join our hearts and voices despite our differences, not only to get along, but to take our rightful place in society to work for justice, peace and dignity for all God's people each in our own way.  

RSM

What are you reading?

Dear Friends,

In these colder months, I find that I have some more "inside time" and that provides me

the opportunity to catch up on some books that have been sitting on my shelf calling for attention.

While I love to read biographies and inspirational books, I also tend to read more practical ones that give me better insights into myself, ministry and how to better grow and support our parish. As you can imagine, there’s never enough time to read all the items that I would like.

Having said that, I recently finished the book entitled, Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship At A Time. In it, Keith Ferrazzi gives some practical tips on how to connect with other people. It’s an interesting treatise on how to help and how to be helped not only in the professional world, but in our personal lives as well.

Reading this stirred my heart into re-visiting the various conversations that I have had with parishioners who are in need of help, particularly those in our midst who find themselves out of a job. If you have ever been one of those people, you know just how frightening it can be, especially in the face of having a family and real responsibilities to provide for them. It got me thinking further that as a parish, we can do a much better job at helping one another on both sides of the equation - when we have an opportunity to share with someone and when we are in need of a new opportunity.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians this week urges us, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we agree in what we say, and that there be no divisions among us, and that we be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. I can think of no greater practical way to embody that challenge than for us to better help one another in our times of need.

While I am not sure precisely how to start this "new ministry" I am interested in your help. If you can help with a lead on a job, or are in need of a job, or can help organize this, please reach out to me or any member of our staff.

Thanks, and blessings!

-Fr Bob