“In the unity of the Holy Spirit” — Fourteenth Week of “Ordinary Time,” July 8 to 14, 2012

When we see ourselves as the “risen Jesus,” we think of Jesus alive in our bodies, living and sharing his own divine life with us.



But the divine life Jesus lives is the life of the Holy Trinity. So we, with him, are living the life of Father, Son and Spirit. A “triune” life: three in one.


The Three Persons differ from each other only by their relationships. The mystery of being Three-in-One is the mystery of the way they live in relationship with each other. So all of us who live the life of Christ, sharing in his divine life as God, are living a life that can only be understood as a life of relationship.


Is that what they taught us in grade school? Is that what we are conscious of now?


In trying to live “a Christian life,” do we focus, first of all, on forming and fostering relationships? Finding security in personal relationship with the Father? Seeking fulfillment in life through deeper-and-deeper relationship with Jesus? Experiencing relationship through interaction with the Spirit?


Do we see our first duty toward others as the duty to seek relationship with them? To relate to others as Jesus relates to us? To see every person in the light of the relationship each one has with God? And, consequently, as bonded with us as brothers and sisters, co-sharing with us in the life of Jesus as branches share in the life of the vine?

Do we understand that, prior to being “just” or “fair” to others, prior to “helping them out,” our first duty is to accept the relationship with each one that our faith tells us we have? And tells us we should seek to form and foster — in the way and measure that circumstances allow?

One current example: the priests in the country have just formed the “Association of United States Catholic Priests.” Why is this?
 
This is not a “protest” organization. The goal is to “offer mutual support and a collegial voice; to engage in contemplation and dialogue”; and only as the fruit of this, to add “prophetic action on issues affecting Church and society.” In other words, it is first of all a movement toward forming and fostering relationship among priests.
As the life of God is relationship between Father, Son and Spirit.
As the life of the Church is koinonia — relationship, “fellowship,” “communion.”


This should make Catholics think. What does it mean that their priests are putting such a value on relationship? What does it say about marriage, friendship, relationship between co-workers and neighbors? Between Americans, immigrants and citizens of foreign countries? About the human race? About what Jesus came to do?


The Association says (www.uscatholicpriests.org), “We are a reconciling body, who are trying to provide a realistic means for dialogue among brothers and then among the people of God.” Are they discovering, and inviting us to discover, something new in the Church?

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