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There are unrecognized millions who are alienated from our Catholic family. They are a gaping wound in the Body of Christ - a hemorrhage of anger, frustration, pain and rejection. Historically the people of the Church have placed little emphasis on ministering to those who don’t feel welcome at our Church doors or at the table of Eucharist. Judgments are rendered about their lack of faith, their lack of zeal, their having made the wrong choices...always something wrong with them. They often experience resentment at Christmas and Easter liturgies when they are publicly resented and chastised for "crowding" the pews, making it uncomfortable for the more deserving - those who show up every Sunday. The "seekers," however, are usually very good faith-filled people, often confused by the Church’s effort to control their choices and their lives. Seekers are looking for a spiritual home which will welcome them and offer an opportunity for them to reclaim their belovedness in the heart of God, to sort out issues of confusion, guilt and shame, and to strive towards even more goodness in their lives while being in harmony with God and Church. An alive Church community more and more has to be a home where people not only can bring their burdens but where they can also sort them out, finding acceptance and encouragement to continue on the journey. Church must offer hope to people torn apart by heartache, loss, indifference, and despair. Many seekers need an opportunity to understand and forgive the Church for many of them have been deeply hurt by the Church. The Church needs to be humble enough to ask to be forgiven for its shortcomings and brokenness. |
Maybe if we know someone who is a seeker, we might offer a quiet but encouraging word of invitation to come and be with us at St. Michael’s. Maybe we can offer an invitation to talk or listen to their story. Maybe we could mention that we miss them. Maybe parish liturgies might acknowledge their presence in a loving way and offer opportunities for reconciliation and healing.
"If you are troubled because you feel you cannot receive the Eucharist, please call the rectory and ask for one of the priests!"
There are too many empty places at our Eucharistic table. We need to learn how to break bread with these good people and to shelter them in our spiritual family. We all have a great deal more to learn about faith, about truth, and about forgiveness! --- Fr. Paul Keyes
