On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Benedict said that the Church should fear the sin of its members more than hatred against Christians. He noted that the Church has suffered persecution throughout its history and since it has the “light and strength of God” it has and will always end up victorious. He reminded us that the “only real danger the Church can and should fear is the sin of her members.”
Something to think about, isn’t it?
We are hearing a lot nowadays about how the media, the government and other sources are more and more antagonistic if not outright hostile to the Church and its teachings. This is so obvious to most of us Catholics, yet seems so hidden to others. We are rightly concerned that our religious liberties are eroding and our culture more and more without a firm mooring in Christian principles. It’s a big deal, quite frankly, and we need to take notice and action.
Yet, here the pope reminds us of a deeper reality: the powers of the world cannot overcome the Church, even though they may persecute her. It is sin that is the real threat to the health of the Church, and to our personal spiritual lives. Sin keeps us apart from Jesus (although he is never far from us). The sin of her members weaken the Church’s credibility in the eyes of the world. It saps her of strength, for it saps her disposition and openness to the grace of God which is always there.
Let us then turn to Jesus ever more fervently for assistance in living out our Christian lives, and let us turn to Mary’s intercession with her Son.
Read more at: www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1104798.htm
