November 21.  A group of dissatisfied parishioners called a meeting to discuss their grievances. “Our church is mercenary.”  “All they’re interested in is money and power.” Each one seemed to have a story about the loss of integrity and ethical behaviour.  They had seen examples, and how some priests undermined the good that others were doing.  “How can this be God’s work,” Charles asked.  “It cannot be right.  We need to take this up with the bishop, as it is a scandal.” Joan stated, “It is enough to make you lose respect not just for them, but for the Church. Jesus surely would be condemning this here too.”  

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Jesus began to drive out those who bought and sold, saying to them “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it into a den of robbers.’” Luke 19:45-48.  Pope Francis:  In the parable of the Good Samaritan one detail about the passers-by stands out:  they were religious, devoted to the worship of God: a priest and a Levite. This shows that belief in God and the worship of God are not enough to ensure that we are actually living in a way pleasing to God. St John Chrysostom wrote, “Do you wish to honour the body of the Saviour? Do not despise it when it is naked. Do not honour it in church with silk vestments, while outside it is naked and numb with cold.  FT 74. Jubilee. The image of the anchor is eloquent; it helps us to recognize the stability and security that is ours amid the troubled waters of this life, provided we entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus. The storms that buffet us will never prevail, for we are firmly anchored in the hope born of grace, which enables us to live in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and death. This hope, which transcends life’s fleeting pleasures and the achievement of our immediate goals, makes us rise above our trials and difficulties, and inspires us to keep pressing forward, never losing sight of the grandeur of the heavenly goal to which we have been called.   SNC25.   Act and Pray for compassionate concern for those suffering loss in their families.