Joy of the Gospel #12

47. The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open. One concrete sign of such openness is that our church doors should always be open, so that if someone, moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not find a closed door. There are other doors that should not be closed either. Everyone can share in some way in the life of the Church; everyone can be part of the community, nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason. This is especially true of the sacrament which is itself “the door”: baptism. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.[51] These convictions have pastoral consequences that we are called to consider with prudence and boldness. Frequently, we act as arbiters of grace rather than its facilitators. But the Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems.

Gospel Links to Ponder:  Letter to the Colossians 4:2-6
"Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;  at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, as I must speak. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one."

Click here to find this biblical reading: http://www.usccb.org/bible/colossians/4

After word: Is there "a place for everyone" in your heart? In your faith community? Do our fears and prejudices place restrictions place on our hospitality? Can we allow ourselves to sometimes be uncomfortable--even suffer, as Christ did--for the sake of the gospel? This is our joy and our privilege.

Paragraph numbers are provided to help you find the quotes for further study and to place these ideas in their original context, should you wish to do so. To read the text in full, click here:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#II.%E2%80%82Mary,_mother_of_evangelization

"Micro" Catechesis for Busy Adults

Forgiveness and repairing (mending) relationships

At one time or another most of us have probably heard the expression, “Forgive and forget.” This expression gives the idea that forgiveness involves wiping away all of the consequence of one's guilt and even wiping it from memory. This is an unfortunate expression because it does not accurately express the Church’s teaching on the nature of sin and the nature of forgiveness.

One aspect of sin is that it damages relationships. The relationship may be between the individual and God only or it may include human relationships. This is evident in many cases. If I steal from you, and you know that I stole from you, the chances are that whatever our relationship was before, it is harmed – if not completely broken – now. When we speak about the relationship of an individual with God we recognize that sin either wounds, or in some cases, completely destroys that relationship. This damage to the relationship of an individual with God that comes from a sin is what is called by the Church, “the eternal punishments due to sin.” The gift of God’s forgiveness heals this relationship and does away with these “eternal punishments.”

There are other aspects of sin, however. Not only are relationships damaged or destroyed, but other real harm can flow from sin. If I steal from you, not only have I damaged our relationship but you have suffered a real financial loss. Simply being forgiven does not magically by itself heal this other real loss. The Church teaches that every offense against justice and truth, including those concerning the unjust taking of property and offenses against another’s reputation require reparation, even if the guilty party has been forgiven. Indeed, authentic forgiveness often requires that the guilty party make reparation, or at least have the authentic intention of doing so, in order for the forgiveness to occur. These effects of sin that linger even after forgiveness has been bestowed are called by the Church the “temporal punishments due to sin.”

Pope St. John Paul II forgave the man who tried to assassinate him. That man was not immediately released from prison simply because his victim had forgiven him. The real consequences of that man’s actions continued to play themselves out in his life. Still, the forgiveness bestowed did release both of them from the prison of hatred.

God’s gift of forgiveness does not mean that God “forgives and forgets” for that would ignore the demands of justice.

Reflection Question
Think of an example of a person who sinned against you and who you ultimately forgave? Was there any reparation that took place? If so, what difference did it make? If not, what difference did the lack of amendment (reparation) make?

Scripture to Explore

Matthew 5 (especially verses 22-26)

Additional References
Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 2454, 2487, 2509
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults pp. 244, 426, 437
Catechetical Framework for Lifelong Faith Formation MA.2.2.38, MA.3.7.22, MA.4.5.10


Resource for Adult Faith Formation
Prepared for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Distributed courtesy of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)

© Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, 2014
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Nearly Here! CBS 20th Anniversary and Reunion

Don't miss out! Get your tickets before we sell out (as we did in 2010). The deadline for purchasing tickets is April 20. Call the Office of Religious Education and Evangelization for details ~ (860) 242-5573, ext. 2670.

Here's what people said about the 15th Anniversary Celebration in 2010:

Thanks for a lovely evening with all our Bible friends. Oh, how wonderful it is to see all those people! Martina Caspersson, Class of 2010

It was great to see some of my fellow classmates. Nancy Lemega-Watt, Class of 2007

I left “glorifying and praising God”  for all the good work I witnessed. Rev. Mark David Janus, President, Paulist Press

Just a note to thank the ORE staff for a wonderful dinner celebrating 15 years of CBS! I'm so glad there was room for us! Angela Clement, Class of 2007

Dr. Harry Attridge at the 15th Anniversary Dinner

I enjoyed my time with you and wish you and the Catholic Biblical School great success moving forward. Dr. Harold Attridge, Yale Divinity School

Nice night! Very well done. Patricia A. Keck, Class of 1999.

I found the enthusiasm of those involved in the Biblical School to be very gratifying. Archbishop Emeritus Henry J. Mansell

Weekly Bible Study - John 20:19-31

12 April 2015

Divine Mercy Sunday   

If Jesus stood in our midst today, would we have the boldness of heart that Thomas exhibits in today’s Gospel? He missed Our Lord’s initial appearance to the apostles. He now looks for proof and for reassurance that Jesus has returned after his resurrection. “Show me the nail marks,” he says, “and then I’ll believe.” Jesus is quick to oblige his doubting apostle, never questioning his lack of faith nor judging this action. Our risen Lord simply allows Thomas to place his hands within the wounds.




When we witness to and teach our faith--when we evangelize--we would do well to follow the example of Jesus, inviting others to "touch" the Lord. It is the Lord who gives faith.

While Jesus could have offered instruction to his weak apostle, he invites Thomas simply to touch.

Stop and allow this moment to come alive in your heart. What would you think and feel, how would you respond if invited to place your hand within the incarnate flesh of our Lord? Would you be moved beyond words, experiencing within that wound the very depths of his loving sacrifice? As Thomas touches the wounds, his faith comes alive and he responds in all humility, “My Lord and my God.”

It is sometimes difficult for us to go on believing. There are times when we, too, need proof and assurance of God’s presence. We do experience it all around us, alive in creation, at work in our faith community and in our sacramental life. But we, too, need to “touch” the reality of God’s presence.  And we do so… intimately.

“Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is My Body given up for you.”

In the sacred moments that follow, the Eucharistic presence touches our lips, becoming one with our flesh. It is an intimate moment that enlivens our faith and leads us to declare, with Thomas, “My Lord and My God.”

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.