Pope Francis writes, “The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community. While certainly not the only institution which evangelizes, if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be “the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters”.
With the Holy Father’s words in mind, the bishop reflected how the parish is a place of arrival and gathering. We gather from our homes, some of us from foreign lands, as God’s people, to hear the Word of God preached and to experience the presence of Christ in the Sacraments. But the parish is not simply a place of arrival, it is a place of sending. We go out from her to bring the word of God to others.
St. Paul writes to Timothy, as we heard in the first reading today, Timothy, who is a pastor. The letters to Timothy are even known as the pastoral letters, because Paul is giving pastoral advice to Timothy for ordering his flock.
“Remind the people” Paul says, of who they are, that since they have died with Christ, they are to live with him, and if we deny him, he will deny us.
That’s a challenging message. That in everything we do, we are to reflect that Christ is Lord. Timothy was to prepare the people for the real possibility that they will be pressured to deny Christ. Pressured by who? By the culture. By the anti-Christian culture. They will be pressured to forsake Christ, to hide their Christian faith, to pretend just like they are everyone else.
But Paul, like Pope Francis, like Bishop Perez, reminds us that we are not to abandon the word, leaving the Word here in within the walls of the church building, but as missionary disciples, we are to carry the word, and infuse the culture with the Word.
My favorite part of the installation mass, is when the new pastor stands at the altar, and promises, using language reminiscent of today’s reading, “to impart the word of truth without deviation.” The priest, the pastor, imparts truth, so that members of the flock, will be equipped to live and spread that same word of truth in their own lives, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That Pope Francis and all bishops and clergy will help defend the Church against error, and lead her always in the pathways of truth, righteousness, and charity.
For the conversion of all those who perpetuate error or set bad Christian example for young people and those of weak faith.
For the grace to spread the Word of God with clarity, patience, and courage.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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