Cross-examination

May 26 Monday of the 6th week of Easter: A thought for those who want to reveal the risen Jesus in their lifestyle.

Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9; John 15:26-16:4

“They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.” John 16:3

Distorted Catholic teaching and mediocre Christian living can “conceal rather than reveal the authentic face of God and of religion.” And so “Christ summons the Church… to that continual reformation of which, as a human institution, she always has need here on earth.” People turn against the Church because they don’t know her. “Comparing the ideal image of the Church as Christ envisaged her, and the actual image which the Church presents to the world today... is the source of the Church’s struggle to correct those flaws introduced by her members” (Francis quoting Paul VI, The Joy of the Gospel 26; Vatican Council II, “The Church in the Modern World” 19, “Decree on Ecumenism” 6).

We have to cross-examine—examine by the cross— the witnesses who claim to speak for Jesus and the Church. If Christians are not visibly at cross-purposes with much in contemporary culture, we need to cross them out as witnesses; with those who love wealth and prestige, and to be called by honorific titles (Matthew 23:6). Pope Francis is giving prophetic leadership in rejecting all this, but his leadership, without insistent support from the laity, will be short-lived.

Jesus gives hope: “The Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, will testify to me.” And challenge: “And you also will testify.”

PRAY: “Lord, forgive us; we know not what we do.”

PRACTICE: Speak out against ecclesiastical affluence and prestige.