We Belong to Christ
Today’s readings are incredibly challenging. The Gospel and second readings push us beyond our natural comfort zone. And Jesus stands there in the middle of it uncompromisingly firm. Our readings give us a challenge that cuts to our core and calls us to look at what is at work in our hearts.
In the second reading, Saint Paul reprimands the local community for following human leaders and bickering about which one was “best.” He is reminding them no matter what eloquence or compassion our church leaders demonstrate; none are worthy of our highest loyalty. We belong to Christ and Christ alone.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to fishermen on the shore. He says, “Come follow me.” And they do! They drop everything, leave their families and livelihoods, and follow him. With blind trust and without a moment’s hesitation, they throw all their eggs into His basket. They follow without a clue of where His path will lead.
Today, we are forced to look square in the eye of our human limitations and needs. Even though God is the goal, I have sometimes been like those followers after the resurrection, placing my allegiance in this or that Church leader. I have liked and or disliked this pope or that. I have wanted to paint the Church in the image of Jesus I dream of. Like the disciples in the reading, I, not so silently, have proclaimed that I want a parish like Fr. John’s in Lake Placid, NY, a pastor like Fr. McAvoy years ago in Saranac Lake, a priest like Father Derk in Winter Park when I feel broken. I have wanted to clone Father Steven and can’t imagine worshipping differently than the way Fr. Jerry leads our congregation. I hold in high esteem the leadership of Pope Francis and not so much the leadership of Saint John Paul II.
Saint Paul warns us loudly and clearly in the second reading that when we do, what we naturally do, we are dividing rather than uniting. We do not belong to this priest or that. None of us belong to one version of the Church or another. There is but one thing that is important. We all follow Jesus Christ, Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. I can blame my humanness and how one church leader speaks to my heart over others. But that is precisely what Paul challenged us not to do. In the Gospel, Jesus said, “Come follow me.” Follow HIM. Our allegiance is to Him and Him alone. The Saints, Popes, and even priests I have admired and loved are all meant to be bridges. They are people who have agreed to be an instrument. They are not the goal. They are a signpost to show the way. While I may like one style better, they are all just the bridge called to be a helping hand on the journey. We thank God for all His signposts, clergy, religious, and lay. They keep us from getting lost. Each has their own gift to give, their own style. But none, no matter how much we love and admire them, is the answer. The only answer is dropping our nets and following when we hear the voice of God.
In our efforts to know God, we can get sidetracked. We place our faith in a messenger instead of the message. We all seek to know God better. We must be careful that in our efforts to be close to God, we do not make those who lead us a “God with skin on.” That is not what Jesus calls us to when he says, “Come follow me.” It also does a severe injustice to those who try to lead. Making our Saints, Popes, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, or Religious leaders “our God” puts an un-carry-able burden on them. These leaders are meant to point the way, not be The Way. They are not meant to be our God.
Let us pray today that we appreciate the gift of every person, clergy, and lay who is a bridge to God. That we might see and enjoy every gift.
We must remind ourselves often with the admonition of Saint Paul that we have but one Lord, one Messiah, one God.
Lord, help us to only have eyes for you. It is you alone we follow. You alone are God.
In God’s Unending Love,
Gwen
